Previous research examining the process of integrating spatial information has suggested that older adults retain an ability to use mental models despite declines in working memory capacity. In the current study of both older and young adults, the authors assessed whether mental model performance declines when working memory limitations affect the ability to retain the information needed to ini...

Argumentative knowledge construction is an important component of critical thinking. Learners who collaboratively argue about a subject can potentially develop domain knowledge and have the opportunity to use evidence critically in order to make sense of the subject under consideration. Moreover learners have to take into account claims and evidence of each other during argumentation and in thi...

Team mental models (TMMs) have received much attention as important drivers of effective team processes and performance. Less is known about the factors that give rise to these shared cognitive structures. We examined potential antecedents of TMMs, with a specific focus on team composition variables, including various facets of personality and surface-level diversity. Further, we examined impli...

This paper describes and explores two major opposing perspectives in presence theory. The external/perceptual perspective recognizes presence exclusively as a response to the external environment while the internal/conceptual perspective allows for the influence of mental models in constructing the environment one feels present within. Form, user, style, and content factors are discussed in ter...

This study investigated an instructional strategy to improve learning a complex model in a system dynamics based learning environment. The instructional strategy required subjects to explore key variables by manipulating dynamic graphs. Design of the strategy was posited upon principles of reducing cognitive load, facilitating mental models, enhancing transfer, and managing risk. Eight students...

We asked people to validate conditional inferences. The results show, first, that people are more likely to look for a falsification versus confirmation. Second, falsification rates are lower for logically valid versus invalid inferences. Deductively valid inferences are inferences that follow necessarily. Our Experiment (N = 96) shows that emphasising this logicality constraint increases falsi...

Understanding the expansion of human sociality and cooperation beyond kith and kin remains an important evolutionary puzzle. There is likely a complex web of processes including institutions, norms, and practices that contributes to this phenomenon. Considerable evidence suggests that one such process involves certain components of religious systems that may have fostered the expansion of human...

Understanding how people view flash flood risks can help improve risk communication, ultimately improving outcomes. This article analyzes data from 26 mental models interviews about flash floods with members of the public in Boulder, Colorado, to understand their perspectives on flash flood risks and mitigation. The analysis includes a comparison between public and professional perspectives by ...

This paper describes the programming knowledge and skills that learners need to develop, and concludes that this is an area of computer science education where those involved in the teaching of programming need to further consider the nature, structure and function of domainspecific knowledge. Visualisation techniques may offer important insights into the learning and teaching of programming. I...

Using inductive, grounded theory research, this article explores the relationship between traffic congestion and change toward sustainability in Metro Vancouver through document analysis and nineteen elite interviews. The research finds that traffic congestion can be a powerful force for change, subject to the two distinct mental models that shape perspectives, behavior, and public debate in th...