Un examen critique des modèles mentaux de Johnson-Laird

Abstract

Summary: A critical examination of Johnson-Laird's mental models. The critical examination of Johnson-Laird's mental models presented here is a part of a more general assessment of the contemporary cognitive psychology of reasoning. Analyzing «mental models», Johnson-Laird seems satisfied by a « definition » of « mental » with a topological metaphor (internal vs external) and « model » as a product rather than a guide. The presentation and theory of mental models lack in precision, particularly in relation to images and abstract concepts. Several variables (explicitness, exhaustiveness, world knowledge...) are not clearly defined. Although mental models appear as a refutation of mental logic, Johnson-Laird uses, for experimentation and argumentation, materials issued from classical logic without mention of the alternative, ecological approach. Key words : Johnson-Laird, reasoning, mental models.