Choosing Illustrations of Spider (Faces) for Best First Impressions in Natural History Interpretive Programs A Program Component Analysis. Issue 2 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bixler, Robert D.; Crosby, Courtney L.; Howell, Kelly N.; Tucker, Teresa W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of interpretation research. Volume 20:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Program Component Analysis (PCA) -- interpretation -- illustrations -- neoteny -- spider phobia -- first impressions
• DOI: 10.1177/109258721502000202
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-5872

Abstract

This study demonstrates that faces of spiders that are neotenic are perceived as less scary than others, if not cute. A convenience sample of adults (n=69) at a university distributed 15 photographs spider faces along a ruler based on perceived scariness. Six of the seven photographs of jumping spiders (Family Salticidae ) were ranked as least scary. Results suggest that using illustrations of jumping spiders to create a positive affective first impression in interpretive programs about spiders is a reasonable assumption. Spiders in the jumping spider family may be viewed as a –gateway spider." This study illustrates a research and design approach termed Program Component Analysis (PCA), in which a design question for only a component of a program is subjected to systematic analysis.