A conceptual analysis of spatial-semantic display processing

The purpose of the present study was to test a model of spatial-semantic display processing. Specifically, a theoretical position based on the work of Kintsch and Dansereau was offered as a potential explanation for the observed superiority of spatial-semantic displays (e.g., knowledge maps) over more traditional displays (e.g., text). Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight groups: groups map-icon-immediate and text-icon-immediate studied information in either a knowledge map or text format and completed tests immediately using a retrieval icon; groups map-icon-delay and text-icon-delay studied information in either a knowledge map or text format and completed tests two days later using a retrieval icon; groups map-no icon-immediate and text-no icon-immediate studied information in either a knowledge map or text format and completed tests immediately but did not use a retrieval icon; and groups map-no icon-delay and text-no icon-delay studied information in either a knowledge map or text format and completed tests two days later but did not use a retrieval icon. The results largely supported the speculations of the theoretical model. It appears that one partial explanation for the observed superiority of spatial-semantic displays over traditional displays is that individuals store a representation of the spatial structure of the material and use this structure during the process of retrieval.