Approaching or just observing? The interplay of behavior and environment in the retention of pictorial details of ambivalent Nazi propaganda images

IF 9 1区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL

Computers in Human Behavior Pub Date : 2024-11-19 DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2024.108503

Martin Lachmair , Susana Ruiz Fernández , Birgit Brucker , Peter Gerjets

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Abstract

This study delves into the cognitive dynamics of environmental context and viewer interaction with ambivalent NS-propaganda imagery as exhibited at the memorial “Dokumentation Obersalzberg” in the Bavarian Alpes. Employing virtual environments that replicate the exhibition and bunker settings of the site, this study investigates how these different contexts influence the retention of visual details in propaganda images presented within a high immersive virtual reality. It further explores the role of viewer behavior, specifically the act of approaching versus observing from a distance, in the cognitive processing and memory retention of these images.

Our primary findings indicate that the environmental context affects memory retention, with the exhibition context enhancing the retention of pictorial details compared to the bunker context. However, this effect interacts with the viewer's approach behavior, where approaching the images in the bunker context significantly improves retention, but not in the exhibition context. Moreover, these effects are moderated by the viewers' perceptions of Adolf Hitler, as shaped by the propaganda images.

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how educational strategies at historical sites can be optimized to foster viewer engagement and learning, indicating that both the physical setup of the exhibit and the nature of viewer interaction are crucial in maximizing the educational impact of exhibits dealing with sensitive historical content.

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来源期刊

Computers in Human Behavior Multiple-

CiteScore

19.10

自引率

4.00%

发文量

381

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Computers in Human Behavior is a scholarly journal that explores the psychological aspects of computer use. It covers original theoretical works, research reports, literature reviews, and software and book reviews. The journal examines both the use of computers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, and the psychological impact of computer use on individuals, groups, and society. Articles discuss topics such as professional practice, training, research, human development, learning, cognition, personality, and social interactions. It focuses on human interactions with computers, considering the computer as a medium through which human behaviors are shaped and expressed. Professionals interested in the psychological aspects of computer use will find this journal valuable, even with limited knowledge of computers.