Luebke Jerry F, Matiasek Jennifer
Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA.
Zoo Biol. 2013 Jul-Aug;32(4):407-16. doi: 10.1002/zoo.21071. Epub 2013 Jun 5.
Visiting a zoo or aquarium is not only fun, but can also have a positive impact on visitors' knowledge and attitudes regarding animals and the environment. The biggest challenge, however, is for these institutions to strategically provide opportunities for cognitive and affective learning while simultaneously facilitating enjoyment and fun. Recent studies in zoos and aquaria have examined various factors that can influence learning such as engaging visitors' emotions or connecting with visitors' prior knowledge and interests. The intent of the current study was to further this line of investigation and explore the relationship between visitors' predispositions and their cognitive and affective experiences and reactions as they walked through an animal exhibit. We selected three indoor immersion exhibits and one outdoor naturalistic exhibit for the study to obtain a wide range of different animals and exhibit settings. Research assistants randomly intercepted visitors leaving the exhibits and asked, among other things, the extent they experienced certain thoughts and feelings while they were walking through the exhibits. Results revealed that visitors' emotional responses to viewing animals were key experiences along with opportunities for introspection and reflection during their time in the exhibits. Implications of the study are discussed in reference to providing both fun and meaningful learning experiences for visitors.
参观动物园或水族馆不仅有趣，还能对游客关于动物和环境的知识及态度产生积极影响。然而，最大的挑战在于这些机构要策略性地提供认知和情感学习的机会，同时还要让游客享受乐趣。近期针对动物园和水族馆的研究考察了各种可能影响学习的因素，比如激发游客的情感，或者联系游客已有的知识和兴趣。本研究的目的是进一步推进这一调查方向，探索游客的倾向与其在参观动物展览时的认知、情感体验及反应之间的关系。我们选择了三个室内沉浸式展览和一个室外自然主义展览进行研究，以涵盖广泛的不同动物和展览环境。研究助手在游客离开展览时随机拦截他们，并询问他们在参观展览过程中体验到某些想法和感受的程度等问题。结果显示，游客观看动物时的情感反应是关键体验，同时在参观展览期间还有内省和反思的机会。本研究的意义将结合为游客提供既有趣又有意义的学习体验进行讨论。
