Collaborative Research: Constructing Mental Images of Geologic Structures from Field Observations

研究人员建议进行一系列的研究，研究人们是如何想象和理解大规模的地质结构的，以及地球科学的教师应该如何最好地教授这些知识。这个项目将有助于空间认知的基础知识。研究人员将进行一系列的行为实验，使用在La11:lont-Doherty校园建造的人工地质露头，并使用校园的桌面建筑模型。这些露头，每一个大约一米宽，将共同形成一个埋藏的地质结构，如一个盆地，一个对称向斜，或一个不对称的俯冲向斜，在现实的规模（即，数百米宽）。露出地面的部分彼此是看不见的，所以参与者需要把看得见的东西整合起来，以构建整个结构的心理形象。！参与者将被引导到露头周围，然后测试他们的表征（例如，要求他们选择准确的结构模型）。他们还将参加空间能力和语言空间能力的标准测试。学习风格。调查人员将考察(a)新手在没有第一次行动的情况下，通过练习和重复来发展露头任务的技能；(b)空间能力、学习方式与露头任务表现之间的关系；(c)专家、低绩效新手和高绩效新手在执行露头任务时使用的策略。

The investigators propose to conduct a series of studies concerning how it is that people visualize and comprehend large-scale geologic structures and how it is that instructors in Geoscience ought best to teach about them. This project will contribute to basic knowledge of spatial cognition. The investigators will conduct a series of behavioral experiments, using artificial geologic outcrops constructed on the La11:lont-Doherty campus and using tabletop architectural models of the campus. The outcrops, each about a meter across, would together form a buried geologic structure, such as a basin, a symmetric syncline, or an asymmetric plunging syncline, at a realistic scale (i.e;,hundreds of meters across). The outcrops will not be visible from each other, so the participants will need to integrate what can be seen to construct a mental image of the entire structure. !Participants will be guided around the outcrops and then be tested on their representations (e.g., askedtb choose accurate models of the structure). They will also take standard tests of spatial ability and verbal-spatial.learning style. The investigators will examine (a) the development of skill on the outcrop task among novices through practice and repetition in the absence ofinst~ction; (b) the relationship among spatial abilities, learning style, and performance on the outcrop task; and (c) strategies used by experts, low-performing noyices,and high-performing novices in doing the outcrop task.