Abstract: Shared mental models (SMMs) are defined as the structural knowledge held by members of a team. Based on SMMs, team members are able to form accurate explanations and expectations for the task, and, in turn, to coordinate their actions and adapt their behaviors to demand of the task and other team members. Research on SMMs provides a new prospective to understand and improve team performance. In this article, authors first introduce the definition of SMMs and some related concepts, as well as some types of SMMs. Next they summarize the measurements of SMMs. Then authors discuss the antecedents and consequences of SMMs. Finally, authors indicate some deficiencies of the current researches, and the promising fields within which the research would be conducted.

Key words: team, mental models, shared mental models, team performance