Images, words, and questions: variables that influence beliefs about vision in children and adults

In three studies we used animated computer graphics to examine beliefs among children and adults that vision involved input to the eyes (the intromission theory) or emissions from the eye (the extramission theory). Results supported previous findings which showed a decrease in extramission and an increase in intromission responses across age. The findings also indicated that there were more extramission interpretations when subjects were tested with graphic images, and more intromission interpretations when the questioning was purely verbal. However, the magnitude of the effect was highly dependent upon question format. The differences between graphic and verbal question presentations (A) are consistent with our theory on the origins of extramission beliefs, (B) suggest that beliefs can vary as a function of form of symbolization, and (C) are contrary to long-standing beliefs of educators and psychologists that emphasize the importance of concrete, pictorial representation.