Transformation!

By

Graham Deverout

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Mental model for thinking

Mental models are frameworks, theories, or general thinking concepts that individuals use to simplify complex problems and understand the world. Here are 100 mental models across various disciplines:

Decision Making & Problem Solving


1. Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)
2. First Principles Thinking
3. Occam’s Razor
4. Hanlon’s Razor
5. SWOT Analysis
6. Decision Matrix
7. Cost-Benefit Analysis
8. Critical Thinking
9. Sunk Cost Fallacy
10. Zero-Sum Thinking

Economics & Finance

  1. Supply and Demand
  2. Opportunity Cost
  3. Comparative Advantage
  4. Inflation
  5. Time Value of Money
  6. Compound Interest
  7. Game Theory
  8. Tragedy of the Commons
  9. Moral Hazard
  10. Diminishing Returns

Psychology

  1. Cognitive Dissonance
  2. Confirmation Bias
  3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  4. Dunning-Kruger Effect
  5. Reciprocity
  6. Anchoring
  7. Halo Effect
  8. Survivorship Bias
  9. Availability Heuristic
  10. Loss Aversion

Science & Engineering

  1. Scientific Method
  2. Feedback Loops
  3. Homeostasis
  4. Leverage
  5. Network Effects
  6. Chaos Theory
  7. Pascal’s Principle in Fluid Mechanics
  8. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
  9. Thermodynamics Laws
  10. Signal to Noise Ratio

Philosophy & Ethics

  1. Utilitarianism
  2. Stoicism
  3. Existentialism
  4. Kantian Ethics
  5. Social Contract
  6. Taoism
  7. Nihilism
  8. Socratic Method
  9. Logical Fallacies
  10. Reductio ad Absurdum

Business & Management

  1. Moore’s Law
  2. Disruptive Innovation
  3. Blue Ocean Strategy
  4. SWOT Analysis
  5. Core Competency
  6. Freemium Model
  7. Just-In-Time Manufacturing
  8. Economies of Scale
  9. Agile Methodology
  10. Lean Startup

Social Sciences

  1. Broken Windows Theory
  2. Dunbar’s Number
  3. Tipping Point
  4. Long Tail
  5. Social Proof
  6. Cultural Capital
  7. Gentrification
  8. Matthew Effect
  9. Diffusion of Innovations
  10. Prisoner’s Dilemma

Learning & Education

  1. Spaced Repetition
  2. Bloom’s Taxonomy
  3. The Feynman Technique
  4. Deliberate Practice
  5. Metacognition
  6. Growth Mindset
  7. Learning Pyramid
  8. Pedagogy vs Andragogy
  9. Scaffolding
  10. Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

Communication

  1. Active Listening
  2. Nonviolent Communication
  3. The Medium is the Message
  4. Elevator Pitch
  5. Storytelling
  6. Signal vs Noise
  7. KISS Principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
  8. Dog Whistle Politics
  9. Straw Man Argument
  10. Virtue Signaling

Miscellaneous

  1. Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing)
  2. OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
  3. Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorems
  4. Parkinson’s Law
  5. Murphy’s Law
  6. The Peter Principle
  7. The Butterfly Effect
  8. The Hawthorne Effect
  9. The Streisand Effect
  10. The Lindy Effect

Understanding these mental models can provide you with a more well-rounded view of the world and enhance your decision-making skills.