The Wall inside the brain: Overestimation of distances crossing the former Iron Curtain |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Claus-Christian?CarbonEmail author Helmut?Leder |
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Institution: | 1.Institute of General, Cognitive, and Biological Psychology,Freie Universit?t Berlin,Berlin,Germany;2.Universit?t Wien,Vienna,Austria |
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Abstract: | A study of distance estimations between German cities investigated the organization of mental maps and their specific deviations
from reality. Potential factors for the deviation of mental maps from reality are physical barriers, emotional involvement,
and semantic unity. Distance estimations between cities situated in different former parts of Germany (East or West) were
systematically overestimated compared to distances of cities located in the same parts of Germany. This trend was strengthened
when participants had a negative attitude toward the reunification of Germany. The impact of these results is far reaching,
because overestimated distances between both German parts indicate that there still exists a mental gap between East and West—even
in young people—15 years after the German reunification. |
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