The Use of Spatial Cognition in Graph Interpretation

Abstract

We conducted an experiment to investigate whether spatial processing is used in graph comprehension tasks. Using an interference paradigm, we demonstrate that a graph task interfered more with performance on a spatial memory task than on a visual "non-spatial" memory task. Reaction times showed there was no speed-accuracy tradeoff. We conclude that it was the spatial nature of the graph task that caused the additional interference in the spatial memory task. We propose that current theories of graph comprehension should be expanded to include a spatial processing component.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA480109

Entities

People

  • J. Gregory Trafton
  • Susan B. Trickett

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Science
  • Comprehension
  • Experimental Design
  • Information Processing
  • Mathematics
  • Numbers
  • Psychology
  • Reaction Time
  • Reasoning
  • Students
  • Task Performance And Analysis
  • Thinking
  • Visualizations

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.