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Dissertation
Cognitive maps of electronic information space
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
1994
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000723
Abstract
This thesis considers the problem of whether the same psychological processes used in navigating physical space can be used in navigating electronic information space. The navigation through hyperspace metaphor has gained wide usage, but there are no empirical links between the psychological literature on spatial navigation and navigation through electronic information space. If the underlying psychological processes are the same, the findings of the psychological literature on spatial navigation can be used to improve design of interfaces using the navigation metaphor. Subjects were asked to solve a figure matching task adapted from previous work. Two interfaces were developed to solve the task: one using a spatial navigation metaphor requiring subjects to move up, down, right and left through an information space, the other using a computer painting program metaphor to adjust attributes of a stationary figure. After the standard matching task was well-learned, two tests of cognitive maps taken from the psychological literature were given. One required the subjects to arrange cards to show their conceptualization of the task. The arrangements were rated as to the extent to which they showed a cognitive map of the information set. A second test for a cognitive map measured the subject's ability to handle detours-to find an alternate path when the usual path was blocked. The test consisted of figure matching tasks where the usual solution was inactivated. The results showed the existence of a cognitive map for subjects using the spatial navigation interface. Those subjects did lay out the cards reflecting the spatial arrangement of figures from the computerized figure matching task. The detour problems also showed the existence of cognitive maps in subjects using the spatial navigation interface based on (a) number, type and patterns of errors made, (b) average time to complete the trials, and (c) strategy differences between the two interface groups in solving detour problems. Taking the two tests together, it was concluded that subjects can develop and use a spatially-based cognitive map in solving problems in electronic information space.
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Details
- Title
- Cognitive maps of electronic information space
- Creators
- Philip E. Fitz
- Contributors
- Gary W. Strong (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xiv, 256 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Information Studies (1984-1995); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014970329104721