Exploring the Role of Social Learning on Team Mental Models

This paper presents a computational model developed to study the role of different modes of social learning on the formation of team mental models (TMM). In this model, the TMM is formed over time as team members learn about each other. Members can learn about other team members from (a) their personal interactions with the task and other team members (b) observing other members perform tasks and interact with a third member. The different modes of learning are discretely represented, allowing controlled analysis of the role of each of the learning modes in the formation of the TMM. The research framework, experiment design and simulation results are presented. Outcomes of this research have implications for the way design teams are put together, how they are managed, and how they can be studied using computational simulations. Keyword: Team-mental-model, team expertise, social learning