Becoming aware of an authentic historic place

Effects on affective and cognitive outcomes

Bibliographic Data

ID21490230
AuthorsMelissa Ries (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien), Stephan Schwan (0000-0003-2451-720X, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume39
Issue4
Pages3463-3482
Publication date2024-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Psychology of Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0256-2928 • E-ISSN: 1878-5174
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10212-023-00765-7
OpenAlexW4388866501
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited26

The present study addressed the effects of becoming aware of being at an authentic historic place both on affective reactions and acquisition of information about the relevant historic events. The study was conducted in a research institute located in a former National Socialist (NS) clinic, thus holding an authentic historic dimension, while at the same time, the building’s physical attributes do not resemble its history anymore. This allowed us to manipulate the participants’ awareness of being at an authentic historic place via systematic variation of prior information (neutral information about the building, general information about a historic event, information about the authenticity of the place regarding the historic event). After receiving prior information, participants had to indicate their emotional valence and arousal. They were then shown a set of photographs related to the relevant historical period or to another unrelated period in randomized order and, after a filler task, were given a memory test of the photographs. Afterwards, participants rated the study room regarding its valence and evoking arousal. It was found that awareness of being at an authentic place had a negative effect on personal mood. Furthermore, the site itself was perceived less positively when participants were aware of its NS history. However, no differences in memory performance of relevant photos were found due to history awareness. The findings indicate that being at an authentic historic place does not necessarily imply a better acquisition of relevant historical knowledge

Aesthetics · Arousal · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Mood · Memory Processes and Influences · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Place Attachment and Urban Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access