Using schematic organizers to help college students organize personal concepts and behavior related to alcohol and...

The intent of this study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of using two types of schematic, graphic organizers--"maps" and "conceptual matrices"--to organize personal understanding of alcohol and cocaine behavior patterns and knowledge about reasons for and consequences of alcohol and cocaine use. Participants in this three-session, 6-hour study were 111 students from a private, southwestern university who were recruited from undergraduate psychology classes. Participants were randomly assigned to either "schema" (matrix/map) or "nonschema" (essay) conditions. The dependent measure, perceived usefulness of an activity, was defined in terms of three factors (use for personal insights, motivational aspects of an activity, and use for counseling purposes) and was assessed through a series of four postactivity questionnaires. Verbal ability was found to play an important role: map organizers for alcohol experiences were perceived as more useful than essay writing by below-median verbal ability participants. For organizing personal knowledge of reasons and consequences, essay writing was perceived as more useful. Possible trends were noted with respect to personality factors.