Using temporal information to construct, update, and retrieve situation models of narratives

Four experiments explored how readers use temporal information to construct and update situation models and retrieve them from memory. In Experiment 1, readers spontaneously constructed temporal and spatial situation models of single sentences. In Experiment 2, temporal inconsistencies caused proble...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition Vol. 27; no. 1; p. 67
Main Authors Rinck, M, Hähnel, A, Becker, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2001
Subjects
Adult
Cognition
Cues
Female
Humans
Male
Memory
Models, Psychological
Reading
Serial Learning
Space Perception
Time Factors
Time Perception
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Four experiments explored how readers use temporal information to construct and update situation models and retrieve them from memory. In Experiment 1, readers spontaneously constructed temporal and spatial situation models of single sentences. In Experiment 2, temporal inconsistencies caused problems in updating situation models similar to those observed previously for other dimensions of situation models. In Experiment 3, merely implied temporal order information was inferred from narratives, affecting comprehension of later sentences like explicitly stated order information. Moreover, inconsistent temporal order information prevented the creation and storage in memory of an integrated situation model. In Experiment 4, a temporal inconsistency increased processing time even if readers were unable to report the inconsistency. These results confirm the significance of the temporal dimension of situation models.
ISSN:0278-7393
1939-1285
DOI:10.1037/0278-7393.27.1.67