Online News Media and Advanced Learning: A Test of Cognitive Flexibility Theory

Abstract

This study looks at how audiences of online news media could benefit from an application of cognitive flexibility theory (CFT), a constructivist theory from the field of education psychology. CFT posits that when case examples from a complex, “ill-structured” knowledge area are interwoven with conceptual perspectives, individuals can better apply learning across diverse settings. Researchers propose that news stories on complex issues lend themselves to CFT. Results suggest that the CFT format offers greater efficiency and some advantages for more knowledgeable and involved audiences, and for frequent Web users.

Notes

¹It should be mentioned that the concept of cognitive flexibility has been studied in the field of communication (e.g., Martin & Myers, 2006). However, in these studies cognitive flexibility is conceptualized as an intrinsic personal trait that affects interpersonal communication events, rather than as a cognitive condition that can be manipulated by media or instruction. Thus, this conceptualization is of limited relevance to an information processing perspective.

²It should be noted that some recent research suggests reading online news in-depth may be more common than previously thought. Recent Web usability research indicates readers are comfortable scrolling down pages for additional reading (Spool, 2006). The Poynter Institute's recent “Eyetracking the News” study (2008) found that the number of readers who scanned online stories roughly equaled the number who read stories methodically. However, study participants were regular readers of the publications tested, and print readers were more likely to read methodically than to scan.

³Though age was not conceptualized as a moderating variable, a MANOVA analysis was conducted; results showed that age does not interact significantly with format.

⁴There were negligible differences in results between the two groups, and there were no developments in the cloning issue receiving prominent coverage during the delay. Therefore it is assumed the time lapse had no significant effect on results.

⁵Initially, recall and recognition were treated separately because recall requires more effort and memory reconstruction. However there was negligible difference between the two from the impact of format, and CFT posits no conceptual difference.

⁶The data meet the criteria for MANOVA. The determinant value of Bartlett's Sphericity test is small, with a significance of .001, which indicates the dependent values are sufficiently correlated. Homogeneity has not been violated, as results of a Box's M test are not significant.