Organization of Feature-, Time-, and Location-Based Mental Models

Abstract

This study considers how mental models are encoded into memory by viewing visual displays like maps. A mental model is an internal representation of a situation that links objects or concepts to other objects or concepts. Previous studies indicated location-based mental models are encoded when a series of propositional statements such as the object is in the location are read from a text. Evidence that locations were being used as the basic container for an organization of mental models is provided by a significant fan effect. A fan effect shows an increase in reaction time with the number of models considered when making a decision. Features, times, and locations were considered as possible containers in the mental models. Subjects created location-based mental models, but also encoded feature-based mental models. A reverse fan effect for time, found for a map animation, suggested the order of the presentation of maps could greatly affect the structure of learned information.

Technology and Map-Learning: Users, Methods, and Symbols

“…The term “chunk” defines the units of information that are held in working memory; it has been argued the maximum number of objects held is approximately seven plus or minus two (Miller 1956; DeGroot 1966; Simon and Chase 1973; Simon 1974). The working memory is thought to be important for organizing map information before it is represented in long‐term memory as mental models (Peterson 1987; Lloyd 1999). The process of chunking operates as a mechanism for enhancing the capacity of working memory by binding information together.…”