Fostering Mental Model Convergence through Training

Abstract

The construct of shared mental models has garnered interest among team researchers as a means to explain how teams develop into highly coordinated units. McComb (this volume) contributes to this body of work by synthesizing a host of empirical findings and theoretical assertions into a model of mental model convergence. This advancement is significant, because it begins to shed light on how shared mental models may develop in teams. The present commentary takes McComb's work a step further by combining it with findings from the area of team training. The result is a set of propositions describing when various training interventions may be most beneficial to the team and the mental model convergence process, and why. These propositions are intended to stimulate further efforts to empirically validate team-training strategies as a means to foster development of shared mental models.

Citation

Cannon-Bowers, J. (2007), "Fostering Mental Model Convergence through Training", Dansereau, F. and Yammarino, F. (Ed.) Multi-Level Issues in Organizations and Time (Research in Multi-Level Issues, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 149-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1475-9144(07)06006-7

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