Object-oriented models are a programming paradigm that organizes software design around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic. An object is a self-contained unit that combines both data and the methods that operate on that data. This approach allows for better modularity, making it easier to manage and scale complex software systems. In object-oriented models, key concepts include classes, which define the blueprint for objects, and inheritance, which allows new classes to adopt properties and behaviors from existing ones. This structure promotes code reusability and helps developers create more intuitive and maintainable applications.