Spatial Alignment Facilitates Visual Comparison (Poster 48)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Eleven
  In Poster Session: Cognitive and Motivational Processes: Poster Session Four

Abstract

Visual comparison is important in classroom learning, but students sometimes fail to fully understand them. Recently, Matlen et al. (2020) proposed the Spatial Alignment Principle: Visual comparison is more effective when the figures being compared are arranged in direct placement, where (a) the intended relational alignment is readily apparent, and (b) the influence of potential competing correspondences is minimized. Matlen et al. found evidence for this principle in adult visual comparison. Here, we test whether it holds for children. Six- and eight-year-old children performed a same-different task over visual pairs. As predicted, for both age groups, direct placement led to faster and more accurate comparison than did impeded placement. We end by discussing implications for learning and education.

Authors

• Yinyuan Zheng, Northwestern University
  Presenting Author

• Bryan Matlen, WestEd
  Non-Presenting Author

• Dedre Gentner, Northwestern University
  Non-Presenting Author