ABSTRACT

This chapter examines shared mental models research and the role of shared mental models in the macrocognitive processes of teams. Team members develop shared mental models by proceeding through the three phases of mental model convegence: orientation, differentiation, and integration. These three phases stem from group development and information processing research. Mental model content represents the information that comprises a given mental model. Mental model structure depicts the way in which the content is organized. Accuracy captures how well an individual's mental model matches that of an expert's. The accuracy of mental model content and or structure can be measured. Shared mental models are at the heart of the collaboration stages and macrocognitive processes. Macrocognitive processes either inform the mental model convergence process or are influenced by shared mental models. These processes, both macrocognitive processes and the mental model convergence process, drive the cognitive processes undertaken by team members throughout the collaboration stages.