Mental models are best described as which of the following?

• A. A conceptual framework for planning
• B. Deeply ingrained assumptions that influence understanding and actions
• C. Shared visions for the organization
• D. A method for measuring performance

Answer: (B)

Mental models are internal, tacit assumptions that shape how people understand the world and decide what actions are appropriate. They act as lenses that influence what information people notice, how they interpret it, and what they do next. In change management, this matters because a change initiative is filtered through these beliefs; if someone believes that new processes are too complex or that the organization won’t support them, they’re likely to resist even a well-planned rollout. The description that captures mental models best is that they are deeply ingrained assumptions that influence understanding and actions. The other options describe explicit tools or goals—planning frameworks, shared visions, or measurement methods—not the hidden beliefs that drive interpretation and behavior.