Shared Mental Model Processing in Visualization Technologies: A Review of Fundamental Concepts and a Guide to Future Research in Human-Computer Interaction

This paper presents a review of fundamental concepts behind the shared mental model and its processes. Shared mental model has two properties which are similarity and accuracy where both of these properties have different emphasis. Types of shared mental model refers to four (4) different ways on what type of cognitive process is being shared in team, which includes task-specific knowledge, task-related knowledge, knowledge of teammates and attitude or beliefs. These four (4) types of shared mental model are grouped into two (2) major content domains, i.e. task-work and team-work. It further describe the aspects of shared mental model on how cognitive process is being shared, includes shared vs. overlapping, similar vs. identical, compatible vs. complimentary and distributed. Shared mental model has to be evaluated using three (3) aspects of characteristics in order to show its operationalization: elicitation method, structure representation, and representation of emergence. A specific evaluation technique called cognitive task analysis that focuses on the analysis of difficulties in cognitive structures is introduced in evaluating shared mental model. This paper also discusses Collaborative Visualisation as technological approach in shared mental model, which includes the benefit of user participation in the aspects of joining or leaving, floor control, privacy and global view. Specific areas on big data, visual analytics, multimedia interface, mobility, disability, awareness and learning analytics that can benefit from the shared mental model approach is discussed.