In reading, the mental model, also sometimes called a situation model, is the comprehensive representation a reader builds in their mind that goes far beyond just the words on the page. It's an active, dynamic understanding of the people, objects, events, and relationships described in the text, enriched by the reader's own experiences and creativity.
Understanding the Mental Model in Reading
When we read, our brains don't simply process words in isolation. Instead, we actively construct a detailed mental picture or simulation of the world the text describes. This process is known as forming a mental model.
According to the reference, this construct is sometimes called a 'mental model' (Johnson-Laird, 1983) or a 'situation model' (Kintsch, 1998). In this model, the readers' mental representation of the text goes beyond the literal version.
Essentially, the mental model is where:
- The literal words serve as a foundation.
- The reader's existing background knowledge about the world, the topic, and similar situations is integrated.
- The reader's imaginations fill in details, visualize scenes, and infer information not explicitly stated.
This combination creates a much richer and deeper understanding than a simple word-for-word decoding could provide.
Why is the Mental Model Important for Comprehension?
Building a robust mental model is crucial for effective reading comprehension. It allows readers to:
- Connect Ideas: See how different parts of the text relate to each other, even across paragraphs or chapters.
- Make Inferences: Understand implied meanings and draw conclusions based on the text and their own knowledge.
- Predict Outcomes: Anticipate what might happen next based on the established situation.
- Monitor Understanding: Identify when something doesn't make sense within the context of the model they are building.
- Retain Information: A well-structured mental model is easier to remember than isolated facts.
Consider the difference between processing text literally and building a mental model:
| Aspect | Processing Literal Text Only | Building a Mental Model / Situation Model |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Individual words and sentences | The described situation, world, or narrative |
| Information Used | Only the words explicitly on the page | Words + Reader's Background Knowledge + Imagination |
| Outcome | Understanding sentence structure | Deeper comprehension of context, meaning, and relationships |
| Reader's Role | Passive decoder | Active constructor and interpreter of meaning |
For example, if a text says "The boy ran towards the house," literal processing understands the action. Building a mental model might include visualizing the boy, the house, the environment, and perhaps inferring why he is running based on previous sentences or general knowledge (e.g., running home for dinner, running from danger).
Practical Insights for Strengthening Mental Models
Readers can actively work on improving their ability to build mental models:
- Activate Prior Knowledge: Before reading, think about what you already know about the topic or similar situations.
- Visualize: Try to create vivid images in your mind based on the descriptions.
- Ask Questions: Constantly question the text (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?) to identify gaps and make connections.
- Make Connections: Relate the text to your own experiences, other books, or real-world events.
- Infer and Predict: Pause occasionally to think about what is implied or what might happen next.
By actively engaging with the text and integrating their own cognitive resources, readers build the dynamic mental representations needed for true understanding.
