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An Introduction to Mental Modeling

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Mental Modeling Approach

Abstract

The goal of this book is to introduce readers to Mental Modeling, an evidence-based process to facilitate decision making by describing the values and knowledge of individuals involved in the decision-making process. Regardless of the decision, the fundamental cognitive task is the same. People must think through the options, the risks and benefits—pros and cons—consider the uncertainties and weigh the trade-offs as they go. Over the ensuing decades of application, Mental Modeling has been in continuous development, extending from initial applications in risk communication and risk management into a broad range of other applications, from strategic planning, to stakeholder engagement to change management and technology transfer and adoption.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Dr. Baruch Fischhoff is Howard Heinz University Professor with the Departments of Social and Decision science and of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, and Chief Scientist at Decision Partners.

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Correspondence to Matthew D. Wood Ph.D. .

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Wood, M.D., Thorne, S., Kovacs, D., Butte, G., Linkov, I. (2017). An Introduction to Mental Modeling. In: Mental Modeling Approach. Risk, Systems and Decisions. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6616-5_1

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