A mental model is the user’s internal understanding of how something works and what they expect it to do. We form mental models about everything from apps to machines to everyday interactions. For example, turning a car’s steering wheel left results in the car turning left — a direct cause-and-effect relationship that aligns with our expectations. This intuitive mapping forms a strong mental model.

When a product aligns with a user’s existing mental models, it feels intuitive and easy to adopt.  

When it clashes, it can cause frustration, confusion, or abandonment​

Examples of build on familiar mental models

1.  Github Copilot builds upon developers’ mental models from traditional code autocomplete, easing the transition to AI-powered code suggestions
   

2. Adobe Photoshop builds upon the familiar approach of extending an image using rectangular controls by integrating its Generative Fill feature, which intelligently fills the newly created space.

Are you breaking an existing Mental Model?

If new AI behaviours break existing mental models, clearly explain how and why. Good onboarding, microcopy, and visual cues can help bridge the gap.

How to use this pattern

Identifying and building on existing mental models by ask questions like

• What is the user trying to do?

• What mental models might already be in place?

• Does this product break any intuitive patterns of cause and effect?