CHapter 9: The (Potential) Contributions Of Cognitive Psychology To Visitor Studies

Abstract

Abstract The cognitive movement in instruction has major implications for research and practice in informal settings. While some approaches emphasize changing the environment in order to influence visitor behavior in hopes that greater interest and learning will occur, the cognitive approach emphasizes influencing how the learner perceives, thinks and acts in relation to exhibits. Learners are required to be actively involved mentally and physically. Translated to the museum context, it is just as important to focus on how the visitor perceives the museum and what the visitor thinks about museums and exhibits as it is to focus on the exhibit and its revision or reconstruction. Accordingly, the visitor is responsible for attending to exhibits and engaging in the active construction of mental elaborations. The exhibit should be designed so that the visitor can engage in the activities and interactions that facilitate the active construction of mental elaborations. Here visitors are not considered passive co...

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