Effects of Task Demand and Familiarity with Scenes in Visuospatial Representations on the Perception and Processing of Spatial Information

This study examined the effects of task demand and familiarity on students' perception and processing of spatial information upon viewing visuospatial representations. Participants in South Korea were told that they would travel through an area, either drawing a map or observing the scenery depicted in photographs. The level of familiarity in the photographs was manipulated in three categories: neighborhood, Seoul (capital city of South Korea), and foreign cities. In two experiments, this study investigated students' eye movements, memory, and response sensitivity and bias. The results indicate that the participants in the map-drawing condition focused on structural information, such as routes, and that their memory of the scenes was more accurate. Moreover, the map-drawing group students were more sensitive and prudent in their responses. The increased level of familiarity also made students focus on structural information. The findings provide useful strategies for geography educators to use visuospatial representations.     

被拐儿童记忆地图模式及其影响因素

拐卖儿童犯罪屡禁不止,备受社会和学界关注。地理学视角下的已有研究多注重宏观区域定量分析,缺少基于寻亲成功案例聚焦被拐儿童的微观定性分析,尤其对被拐儿童记忆空间与记忆地图的探究不足。文章基于从“宝贝回家”公益平台提取的典型案例,综合运用文本分析、认知地图分析、案例分析等方法,探索寻亲成功的被拐儿童记忆地图模式及其影响因素。结果表明：1）被拐儿童记忆内容由地方性知识、家庭性知识和个体性知识3部分构成。其中,地方性知识包括儿童家乡的自然物理环境与社会文化环境要素;家庭性知识包括儿童原生家庭成员信息、亲缘关系等要素;个体性知识包括儿童自身体貌特征、失踪时穿着等要素。2）被拐儿童记忆空间形成于其日常活动空间,是地理空间与人文情感的结合;随着儿童年龄增长和时代变迁,儿童记忆空间要素产生变化,形成不同阶段不同时代的独特个体记忆,儿童生活环境的变化易塑造混合复杂的记忆空间。3）被拐儿童记忆地图根据其记忆内容及记忆要素类型分为多要素混合式记忆地图（依托多种感官、多要素定位家乡区域）、空间化布局式记忆地图（即手绘完整地图,具有空间性和尺度性）、单要素主导式记忆地图（即以地标和地名为关键要素）3种模式。4）儿童对其日常活动中频繁接触的场所会留下较为深刻印象,家乡环境中独特形状的道路、水域更易使儿童产生记忆,成为寻亲过程中的重要促进因素;地名、方言、习俗组合与地名、地标组合成为寻亲成功的关键要素组合。     

Growth performance of exotic and indigenous tree species in saline soils in Turkana, Kenya

In the arid zone of central Turkana, north-western Kenya, where soil salinity affects 15–20% of the rangelands, growth performances of trees planted in saline soil rehabilitation trials have not been evaluated. Tree-planting trials have emphasised exotic species over indigenous ones. However, advantages and disadvantages of promoting exotic tree species have not been examined. The current study was aimed at evaluating growth performance of seven exotic and nine indigenous tree species used in saline soil rehabilitation trials. The tree species were established from 6-month-old saplings using microcatchments (FT1) from 1988 through 1990 and pitting treatment (FT2) from 1989 through 1992. The soils in FT1 and FT2 treatments were moderately to highly saline. The exotic tree species produced greater cover and volume during the first year (FT1) but by the second year, production was not sustained due to greater mortality (FT1 & FT2). The indigenous species in general had higher survival rates. Relative growth rates (RGR) of exotic and indigenous species did not differ (FT1 & FT2). Tree mortality was negatively correlated with RGR for exotic species in FT1 but not for indigenous ones. However, changes in plant performance were not in response to salinity alone. Rather, water scarcity superimposed on soil salinity might have influenced plant growth performance. Greater water and salinity stress and subsequently greater mortality in exotic species provided a more convincing reason for promotion of indigenous tree species. In the future, knowledge of salinity distribution and selection of indigenous species to match this will be a better way of rehabilitating sites affected by soil salinity in the arid zone of central Turkana, north-western Kenya.     

Understanding the spatial knowledge of freshmen and sophomores about their university campus: A case study from Jimei University,Xiamen, China

The influence of environmental familiarity on spatial knowledge development in the context of campuses and their surrounding environments has been well documented. However, existing studies have rarely stressed the distinction between the architectural styles of a campus and its surrounding environment. This study thus targets a campus with a historical architectural style that contrasts strongly with the surrounding modern environment, to gain a fresh view on how spatial knowledge develops with environmental familiarity on such a unique campus. This study recruited 30 freshmen and 28 sophomores to complete landmark selection, route sketching, and distance estimation tasks used to measure their spatial knowledge. The results mainly revealed that spatial knowledge developed by freshmen and sophomores stayed at a similar level as no significant differences were detected. As such, the key implication of this study is that spatial knowledge could be developed to the largest cognitive extent within a short period (i.e., 1.5 months) after students have entered a new campus in which the architectural style contrasts strongly with its surrounding environment. Increased environmental familiarity did not significantly promote their spatial knowledge development as sophomores with about an added year of campus stay performed similarly to freshmen.     

外来饮食文化影响下广州本地居民地方身份建构过程的代际差异

伴随着地理学的文化转向以及“身体”“情感”视角的引入,饮食文化的空间问题开始引发人文地理学界的关注。借助身份建构过程模型理论（identity process theory, IPT）,依托对38位广州本地人的深度访谈,阐释外来饮食文化对其身份建构过程的影响及代际差异。研究发现,外来饮食文化的涌入引发了老一辈广州人多重的身份危机感,激发他们投身于地方传统饮食文化复兴实践,以对传统的忠诚和坚守来建构其地方身份。而自幼就被外来及本土饮食文化共同包围的年轻人则善于在不同情境下采纳不同文化态度和策略来建构其地方身份,缓解身份危机。该代际差异折射出饮食文化空间政治结构的轮回,而恰恰是这一空间政治的轮回孕育了地方饮食文化的继替。     

CHANNING COPE AND THE MAKING OF A MIRACLE VINE*

ABSTRACT. The history of kudzu illustrates the fluidity with which people can redefine their cultural relationship with exotic species. Although much of American society views the fast‐growing Asian vine as a pest, this has not always been the case. During the first half of the twentieth century, individual entrepreneurs and government officials touted kudzu as a “miracle vine” and carried out massive planting campaigns across the southeastern United States. This study traces the changing place of kudzu within southern society from its introduction in the late 1800s to the present. Specific attention is devoted to the role that the gentleman farmer, author, and radio personality Channing Cope played in popularizing the cultivation of kudzu. Cope's promotional activities are interpreted as environmental claims making. Analysis focuses on the metaphors he used in persuading the public of kudzu's supposed benefits. Conducting such an examination advances our general understanding of the historical geography of exotics in America and the importance of human agency and cultural representation in the spread of non‐native organisms.     

Chinese Junior High School Students' Perceptions of Geographic Fieldwork: A Case Study

After nearly ten years of implementation of the first junior high school geography standards, Chinese geography educators have been increasingly incorporating fieldwork into their geography teaching. This study examined student perceptions of fieldwork from an international perspective by reviewing student fieldwork reports and administering a questionnaire to 337 junior high school students aged approximately fifteen years. The results demonstrate that the students' perceptions of fieldwork were primarily positive and that they found field experience to be interesting. Fieldwork provided the students with deepened understanding of issues, cognitive and affective benefits, transferable skills and knowledge, social skills, demonstration, and memorable experience. In addition, some factors for improving geographic fieldwork were identified.     

Traditional horticultural knowledge change in a rural population of the Patagonian steppe

We investigated traditional horticultural knowledge related to plant species cultivated in homegardens in an arid rural population of North-western Patagonia, Argentina. By means of semi-structured interviews and field visits to the cultivated areas we analyzed floristic composition and structure of: vegetable-gardens, greenhouses and gardens. We evaluated species richness, cover and biogeographical origin in each cultivated area and analyzed the influence of socio-cultural factors, such as age and gender, on informants’ cultivation practice. A total of 124 species was found: 75 species in vegetable-gardens, 63 in greenhouses and 68 in gardens. In all cultivated areas, most plant species (91%) were exotic and mainly used for edible purposes. Plant richness in homegardens increased with informants’ age and both men and women play a relevant role in the maintenance of cultivated areas. Traditional knowledge in this community has been suffering an erosion process, which is in part influenced by the intervention of extension agents. However, their presence creates the possibility of integrating new and ancestral practices, favoring development of knowledge of a hybrid, syncretic nature. Alongside these changes, Pilcaniyeu inhabitants still maintain traditional homegardens cultivation, through which we can appreciate the intricate relationship between people and their physical, historical, cultural and spiritual contexts.     

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUTING DISTANCE,RESIDENCE, AND EMPLOYMENT LOCATION: METROPOLITAN HAIFA 1972 AND 1983*

This paper highlights three major aspects of gender differences in employment in Haifa, Israel (1972 and 1983): commuting distance, place of residence, and employment location. In 1972 working womenaposs residences were more central-city-oriented, whereas in 1983 they were more suburbanized. Commuting distances increased between 1972 and 1983 for both sexes, but more for men than for women. This shorter “female'’distance is related to the location of employment and its occupational segregation. The lower commuting values in Haifa compared to other places relate to the size, housing patterns, and structure of the study area, and to its levels of suburbanization and automobile ownership.     

THE IMPACT OF FAMILY STATUS ON BLACK,WHITE, AND HISPANIC WOMEN'S COMMUTING

The relationship between women's domestic labor and employment in the paid labor force is central to current debates about gender inequities in occupations and incomes. Recent studies of gender differences in commuting argue that women reduce the journey to work to accommodate the demands of family responsibilities. The empirical evidence, however, is mixed. Equal numbers of studies have reported significant andinsignificant relationships between average commuting times and various measures of domestic responsibilities. Few of these studies have examined the implications of parenthood and, particularly, single parenthood, for the commuting patterns of women from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Women who are single parents may work closer to home than other women because of their substantial domestic responsibilities. On the other hand, as sole wage earners, single parents may travel long times to obtain better paid employment. Using information about a sample of women in the New York Consolidated Metropolitan Area, we compared the average commuting times of black, Hispanic, and white women from single and two-parent households. The presence and ages of children significantly reduced all women's commuting times, although the effects of parenthood were muted for minority women. Single mothers commuted longer than married mothers, but the size of the disparity depended upon a woman's racial/ethnic background and place of residence. All single mothers commuted shorter times in the suburbs than at the center, but the differences were greatest for minority women living in the suburbs.     

家庭化迁移对流动人口职住关系的影响——以广州为例

流动人口家庭化迁移可能对其在城市的职住关系产生影响。本研究基于广州市居民日常出行调查数据,考察流动人口在不同家庭化迁移状态下的职住关系,并与本地市民进行比较。研究发现：广州市流动人口职住临近特征明显,但随着家庭化迁移程度提高,职住距离增长,并接近本地市民水平。相较于个体单独迁移,夫妻共同迁移由于难以同时实现职住临近,职住距离更长;子女和老人随迁情境下,流动人口职住区位郊区化特征明显,因为郊区能以较低成本满足家庭生活对住房和住区环境的更高要求,但该情境下整体职住距离增幅较小且不显著。多数家庭化迁移的流动人口仍存在不稳定流动特征,以租房为主,租金规避需求与环境提升需求并存,需要相关政策加以关注。     

Pupils' knowledge and awareness of geography when starting upper secondary school in Norway

The author, an upper secondary teacher in geography, has conducted various surveys and questionnaires among pupils every year, for 30 years. The article examines his pupils' knowledge of geography when they start upper secondary school. During their first lesson in geography they are presented with a questionnaire designed to test their knowledge of concepts, places, and causal relationships. In addition, they are asked about their perceptions of geography and expectations when they start to study a new subject. The author finds it valuable and important as a teacher to know what his pupils have learned during their lower secondary education because such information could be used to adapt upper secondary education in geography to the pupils' abilities. Further, it is important to motivate, create expectations, and develop awareness of geography. In addition to discussing pupils' knowledge of geography, the article shows briefly how school curricula and geography teaching have changed in Norwegian lower secondary schools since the early 1970s.     

It's not all about wealth and beauty: Changing perceptions of fatness among Makola market women of Accra,Ghana

Within the African context, body shape preferences may be influenced by culture without necessarily taking into consideration health implications. Thus, fatness is culturally associated with beauty, prosperity, and prestige while thinness is perceived as a sign of ill‐health or poverty. Using a cross section of Makola market women, who traditionally are perceived as fat and affluent, our findings revealed that the perception of fatness as a sign of richness and beauty is changing due to women's access to knowledge and information on the health implications of fatness. The challenge for these women however, is adhering to healthy lifestyles despite living sedentary lives in the market place which is a conducive environment for one to become fat. We recommend that qualified professionals should encourage these women through continuous programmes on regenerative health and nutrition aimed at healthy lifestyle behaviour at the market places. The social groups that women belong to should be targeted, trained and equipped with the right information on healthy living so that they can disseminate this information to other members of their networks.     

A Place for Buddha in Wollongong,New South Wales? Territorial rules in the place-making of sacred spaces

A Buddhist temple in Berkeley, Wollongong, may at first appear puzzling given that few Buddhists lived there. Indeed, the suburb was home to predominantly those Anglo-Celtic Australians most marginalised by the structural changes to the city's economic base. This problem is explored within the social dynamics of inclusion and exclusion operating within the local politics of place-making. Drawing upon the concept of a progressive sense to place revealed that discourses of support for the temple drew heavily on imagining Australia and Wollongong as multicultural and the temple as an exotic object of the Orient, worthy of tourist visitation. A Buddhist temple provided the city with a source of cultural vitality and enrichment. Imagined as a tourist attraction, a place to visit, rather than as sacred space, a place to worship, a Buddhism sect was perhaps in this way made less threatening to local Christian residents. These results further support arguments that suggest a redundancy to the fixed notions of place as bounded territory and how territorial rules that define whether something, or someone, is appropriately placed requires interrogating the connectedness between social powers and the powers of place.     

ISLAND SOJOURNS

ABSTRACT. Islands have long held a central place in Western cultures' mythical geographies. They have been associated for centuries with heroic journeys and holy quests, imagined realms of magical transformations. Islands have also been sites of significant rites of passage, and they continue to perform this function in the modern secular world. Today, popular islomania is expressed in the frequency of seasonal sojourning on European and American archipelagos. No longer destinations of permanent residence, islands now provide access to a sense of temporal and spatial rootedness that is no longer available on mainlands. They loom large on the mental maps even of those who rarely, if ever, visit them.     

Interpretation of Specialized Agricultural Settlements on Topographic Maps

Abstract

The topographic map can successfully supplement the geographical textbook and the field trip in aiding the teacher in the illustration of the cultural character of a place. Interpretation of cultural features on topographic maps requires a knowledge of map symbolization and some familiarity with the area or topic under study. An example of the type of cultural features that are well-illustrated by topographic maps is specialized agricultural settlement such as the gentleman horse farm. The student can formulate an interpretation key of the characteristic features of each settlement type. This will allow the successful interpretation of maps from distant or unfamiliar areas through comparison and even allow the map reader to “travel,” although vicariously, to distant areas.     

信息化影响下经济发达地区个人联系网络演变——-以苏锡常地区为例

人是信息化的主体,信息化的迅速发展对个人联系网络产生了重要影响。在对苏锡常地区12 城镇2100 余 份调查问卷结果整理的基础上,借助SPSS 软件和建模的方法从个人的信息来源、联系方式、联系频率等三个方面 对信息化影响下苏锡常地区个人联系网络的演变特征和规律进行分析,得出以下结论：电视、报纸等传统信息来源 比重降低,而因特网、手机等新型信息来源的比重上升;地理实空间的传统联系方式比重逐渐下降,而网络虚空间 的远程通讯方式蓬勃发展,且处于强势主导地位等,地理实空间和网络虚空间是互补而非替代关系等。地区城市间 个人联系和交流变得频繁,且个体联系频率指数的增幅与城镇等级成显著的正相关关系。     

Generation and Place of Residence in the Symbolic and Lived Identity of Maltese in Sydney,Australia

Maltese symbolic and lived identities are examined to explore the changes that occur in cultural identity between generations and place of residence within metropolitan Sydney. The results are employed to problematise Sandberg's straight-line theory, that is, that ethnic identity will decline with each successive generation. Our results, exploring ethnic identity in both its symbolic and lived-experience forms, confirm arguments that global cities are not homogeneous territories, as implied by Sandberg, but rather sites of cultural difference. The results suggest that, regardless of place of residence or generation, the symbolic Maltese identities remain similar, combating the old, naive assimilationist assumption that all immigrants would quickly abandon their ethnic identity, and favouring arguments supporting hybrid identities. Similarly, results for Maltese identity as lived experience suggest that their Maltese identity is less important only for those second-generation Maltese living in census collection districts with less than 10 per cent of the population born in Malta.