2023 Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages 57-65
Pointing and touching the tanks in aquariums has been shown to have a positive effect on children's mental images of water. In this study, we will further investigate the assumption that children's previous experiences with aquariums and bodies of water influence their mental images. The aim of this study is to determine which viewing behaviors influence the mental images of children with extensive aquarium and water experience. Analysis of behavioral observation and mental imagery data showed that children with more water experience were less likely to point at the tank, a behavior that reflects a positive and explicit interest in aquatic animals. On the other hand, postural changes, such as repeated standing and sitting, were found to have a positive effect on the formation of better mental images of bodies of water. There is evidence that the psychological distance between the water and the self can be reduced in situations where there is a lot of postural change. It has also been shown that such postural changes can be facilitated by offering a choice of left, right or detour.
