Organization of feature-, time-, or location-based mental models

This study considers how mental models are encoded into memory by viewing v isual displays like maps. A mental model is an internal representation of a situation that links objects or concepts to other objects or concepts. Pre vious studies indicated location-based mental models are encoded when a ser ies of propositional statements such as the object is in the location are r ead from a text. Evidence that locations were being used as the basic conta iner 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 we re 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 o rder of the presentation of maps could greatly affect the structure of lear ned information.