MENTAL MODELS: RECOGNITION OVER RECALL

IT’S EASIER TO RECOGNIZE THINGS WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THAN IT IS TO RECALL THEM FROM MEMORY.

How might this apply to your business?
Multiple-choice or one-click options are easier for people to interact with on a site. If you’re considering asking people to list things from memory, try complementing (or replacing) empty form fields with defined, random or intelligent choices that people can click on or rate.

See also: Visual Imagery, Limited Choices, Contrast, Feedback Loop

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In the whirl of our day-to-day interactions, it’s all too easy to forget the nuances that distinguish great teams, great cultures, and great products/services.

Mental Model Flash Cards bring together insights from psychology into an easy reference and brainstorming tool. Each card describes one insight into human behavior and suggests ways to apply this to your teams as well as the design of your products and services.