Yes. A model takes input, runs a process, and provides output. It's a model because it is simpler than the real process, but provides reasonable approximations. Newtonian Physics is a model of physical interaction from gravity and mass.
A mental model is an internal construct the mind uses to represent parts of the world. You have a mental model of your body. You have a mental model of how physics works. You have a mental model of how your friends would react to certain situations. etc. A model says "If the world is in this state, then the next state is this one."
Wisdom, or aphorisms, are things that are taught to people which are shorthand for solutions to complicated situations. They are algorithms. They say "These are the answers to problems that you might encounter". Sometimes, they provide guidance. They are heuristics. This article should be "Polya-like heuristics for designers"
You would teach someone a mental model like this: "Think of a person as a robot programmed to reproduce and eat". This allows you to draw conclusions by querying your model of a robot and applying that to the person. You could predict how the person would make decisions. It might be wise to do that or not.
You would teach someone wisdom or an aphorism like this: "If you encounter a hard problem, break it down into sub problems". True, there is potentially a model there: All problems are just collections of subproblems, but that's something you have to build up by following the guidance. It doesn't actually give you a model, it prods you to build one ... if necessary.
The article does not provide any models, it only suggests steps to break down problems or communicate solutions. You, the reader, are using your internal mental models of the world to see if the stuff you are being suggested actually makes sense. If you start crafting new models, it is not because this article contains any of them.
A mental model is an internal construct the mind uses to represent parts of the world. You have a mental model of your body. You have a mental model of how physics works. You have a mental model of how your friends would react to certain situations. etc. A model says "If the world is in this state, then the next state is this one."
Wisdom, or aphorisms, are things that are taught to people which are shorthand for solutions to complicated situations. They are algorithms. They say "These are the answers to problems that you might encounter". Sometimes, they provide guidance. They are heuristics. This article should be "Polya-like heuristics for designers"
You would teach someone a mental model like this: "Think of a person as a robot programmed to reproduce and eat". This allows you to draw conclusions by querying your model of a robot and applying that to the person. You could predict how the person would make decisions. It might be wise to do that or not.
You would teach someone wisdom or an aphorism like this: "If you encounter a hard problem, break it down into sub problems". True, there is potentially a model there: All problems are just collections of subproblems, but that's something you have to build up by following the guidance. It doesn't actually give you a model, it prods you to build one ... if necessary.
The article does not provide any models, it only suggests steps to break down problems or communicate solutions. You, the reader, are using your internal mental models of the world to see if the stuff you are being suggested actually makes sense. If you start crafting new models, it is not because this article contains any of them.