Chapter 11: Situation Models and Their Role in Comprehension: The Need to Study Their Internal Structure

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of elements defining internal structure of situation models: objects and relations among objects. Our description of objects and relations within propositional and non-propositional systems evidences for all richness and complexity of situation models, as well as underlies different assumptions regarding the nature of readers' mental representation. It raises the question: Is there a preferential system that defines ideal units or entities in situation models? In order to best capture the complexity of what is defined as deepest level of representation, that is, the situation model, an integrated theory of comprehension should account for a combination of systems that would be called upon in a dynamic and contextual way, depending on situational factors and reader's prior knowledge. This implies incorporating main features of objects, the relationships among them and affordances with the world, along with experiential relationship between the reader and world evoked in the text. Keywords: internal structure of situation models; mental representation; non-propositional systems; reader's knowledge; theory of comprehension