ChatGPT on Models

Author

Robert W. Walker

Published

January 14, 2026

TL;DR

ChatGPT, from OpenAI, is an extremely powerful AI tool. I will use it here to help me think about the use of models. A link to the interaction.

Claude Interactions

Claude Interactions
NotePrompt:

how are models used in academic disciplines? give an example or two of common models in at least 20 academic disciplines in a formatted list of markdown code with a linked reference for each model that provides more extensive detail

Use of Models Across Academic Disciplines

1. Physics

  • Standard Model of Particle Physics – describes fundamental particles and forces
    https://home.cern/science/physics/standard-model
  • Newtonian Mechanics – classical model of motion
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/newton/

2. Chemistry

  • Molecular Orbital Theory – models electron behavior in molecules
    https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Molecular_Orbital_Theory
  • Arrhenius Equation – models reaction rates
    https://www.britannica.com/science/Arrhenius-equation

3. Biology

  • Central Dogma of Molecular Biology – information flow in cells
    https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/central-dogma-of-molecular-biology-373/
  • Lotka–Volterra Model – predator–prey population dynamics
    https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Lotka-VolterraEquations.html

4. Economics

  • Supply and Demand Model – market equilibrium
    https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/law-of-supply-demand.asp
  • IS–LM Model – macroeconomic equilibrium
    https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/ISLMModel.html

5. Psychology

  • Cognitive Behavioral Model – thoughts, emotions, behavior interaction
    https://beckinstitute.org/about-beck/what-is-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/
  • Big Five Personality Model – personality trait structure
    https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/personality

6. Sociology

  • Structural Functionalism – society as interrelated systems
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/structural-functionalism
  • Conflict Theory – power and inequality model
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/conflict-theory

7. Political Science

  • Median Voter Theorem – voting behavior model
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/median-voter-theorem
  • Rational Choice Model – political decision-making
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rational-choice/

8. Anthropology

  • Cultural Evolution Models – transmission of cultural traits
    https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2010.0232
  • Kinship Models – social relationship structures
    https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/kinship

9. Linguistics

  • Generative Grammar – language structure modeling
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/generative-grammar
  • Phonological Feature Models – sound pattern representation
    https://linguapress.com/esl/grammar/phonology.htm

10. Computer Science

  • Turing Machine – computation model
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/turing-machine/
  • Neural Networks – machine learning model
    https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/neural-networks

11. Mathematics

  • Graph Theory Models – relational structures
    https://mathworld.wolfram.com/GraphTheory.html
  • Stochastic Models – probabilistic systems
    https://www.britannica.com/science/stochastic-process

12. Statistics

  • Linear Regression Model – relationship estimation
    https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/pmd/section1/pmd141.htm
  • Bayesian Models – probabilistic inference
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bayesian-epistemology/

13. Medicine

  • Biopsychosocial Model – health determinants
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK396/
  • Disease Progression Models – clinical forecasting
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/disease-progression-model

14. Public Health

  • Epidemiological SIR Model – disease spread
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5348083/
  • Social Determinants of Health Model
    https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm

15. Education

  • Bloom’s Taxonomy – learning objectives
    https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/
  • Constructivist Learning Model
    https://www.simplypsychology.org/constructivism.html

16. Philosophy

  • Argumentation Models (Toulmin Model)
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/Toulmin-model
  • Possible Worlds Semantics
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/possible-worlds/

17. Geography

  • Central Place Theory – urban settlement patterns
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/central-place-theory
  • Gravity Model – spatial interaction
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/gravity-model

18. Environmental Science

  • Climate Models (GCMs) – climate system simulation
    https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate/climate-models
  • Ecosystem Models – energy and nutrient flows
    https://www.britannica.com/science/ecosystem-model

19. Engineering

  • Finite Element Models – structural analysis
    https://www.ansys.com/solutions/what-is-finite-element-analysis
  • Control System Models – system regulation
    https://www.britannica.com/technology/control-system

20. Law

  • Legal Reasoning Models – precedent-based inference
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/legal-reasoning/
  • Economic Analysis of Law
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/law-and-economics

21. History

  • Cliometric Models – quantitative historical analysis
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/cliometrics
  • Periodization Models – historical structuring
    https://www.historyskills.com/historical-knowledge/periodisation/

22. Theology / Religious Studies

  • Hermeneutical Models – interpretation frameworks
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hermeneutics/
  • Comparative Religion Models
    https://www.britannica.com/topic/comparative-religion

It also contained some editorial commentary.

If you’d like, I can also:
 + Condense this into a one-page teaching handout
 + Add a column comparing predictive vs. explanatory models
 + Tailor it for a specific field or course level
NotePrompt:

Yes, please repeat the task with a column that compares them as predictive or explanatory models; the response is probably best formatted as a table with the links in markdown code

Discipline Model Primary Use of the Model Predictive / Explanatory
Physics Standard Model of Particle Physics Describes fundamental particles and forces Explanatory (limited predictive)
Chemistry Arrhenius Equation Relates temperature to reaction rates Predictive
Biology Lotka–Volterra Model Models predator–prey population dynamics Both
Economics Supply and Demand Model Explains market equilibrium Both
Psychology Cognitive Behavioral Model Explains interaction of thoughts, emotions, behavior Explanatory
Sociology Structural Functionalism Explains social order and institutions Explanatory
Political Science Median Voter Theorem Predicts policy outcomes in majority voting Predictive
Anthropology Cultural Evolution Models Explain cultural trait transmission Both
Linguistics Generative Grammar Explains underlying structure of language Explanatory
Computer Science Turing Machine Formal model of computation Explanatory
Mathematics Graph Theory Models relational structures abstractly Explanatory
Statistics Linear Regression Estimates and predicts relationships between variables Predictive
Medicine Biopsychosocial Model Explains health via biological, psychological, social factors Explanatory
Public Health SIR Epidemiological Model Forecasts disease spread Predictive
Education Bloom’s Taxonomy Classifies learning objectives Explanatory
Philosophy Toulmin Model of Argumentation Analyzes structure of arguments Explanatory
Geography Central Place Theory Explains spatial distribution of cities Explanatory
Environmental Science General Circulation Models (GCMs) Simulate and forecast climate systems Predictive
Engineering Finite Element Analysis Predicts stress, strain, and failure in systems Predictive
Law Legal Reasoning Models Explains reasoning from precedent and statutes Explanatory
History Cliometrics Applies quantitative models to historical trends Both
Theology / Religious Studies Hermeneutical Models Explains interpretation of sacred texts Explanatory