CAM-Research - Information, Publications
Introduction
As a complement to classical questionnaire-based survey methods, we develop and use Cognitive-Affective Mapping (CAM), a new data acquisition method combining both qualitative and quantititative approaches.
Example of CAM: Urban heat supply via combined power and heat by means of hydrogen
This merely illustrative example map was created using the software Valence (Rhea et al., 2020, see below) and depicts beliefs and attitudes towards the topic of hydrogen use in urban heating supply. The rectangles, ovals and hexagons are called nodes. Each node represents a concept. A concept is ‘a representation of an important cognitive element, such as a goal, action, event, person, organization, or general idea’ (Thagard, 2010: 79). Each concept is depicted with its associated affective valence, i.e., whether the person drawing the map associates positive, negative, neutral or ambivalent valences with the concept. Positive concepts are represented by green ovals, negative concepts by red hexagons. Yellow rectangles represent neutral concepts. If both positive and negative feelings are associated with a concept, they are represented as a purple superimposed hexagon and oval. For positive and negative concepts, there are three different intensity levels of the resp. affective valence (transformed on a three-level scale from +1 to +3; or -1 to -3, resp.). The intensity of the valence is represented by the thickness of the outline of the node.
The individual nodes can be connected with each other by means of lines. In accordance with the technical terms used in network theory, these connecting lines are called edges. Solid edges indicate a positive relationship between two concepts: the concepts support or reinforce each other. Dashed edges, on the other hand, indicate that two concepts inhibit or oppose each other. The strength of the supporting or inhibiting effect of an edge can vary from +1 to +3, which is represented by the thickness of the edge. Deviating from the original conventions, our editing systems enable further differentiation of the edges. Subjects can indicate whether two concepts influence each other unidirectionally or reciprocally. An edge can be marked with an arrowhead if the subject believes that concept x influences concept y. If the subject draws a line without arrowhead, he or she expresses that the concepts influence each other reciprocally. Furthermore, participants can annotate concepts and edges. This is especially important in application contexts where the CAM method has to unfold its communicative potential. (Modified excerpt from Livanec et al., 2022)
Feel free to create your own CAM with Valence or C.A.M. Experiment Light.
Implementations
Feel free to test! For a glimpse at some documentation, see papers below. More is underway.
- CAM editing:
- Valence (software tool for creating cognitive affective maps)
Rhea, C., Reuter, L., Tecza, A., & Mansell, J. (2021, June 28). CAM Network Analysis. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PXNVZ - Rhea, C., Reuter, L., & Piereder, J. (2020). Valence Software Release. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9TZA2
- C.A.M. Experiment Light (J. Fenn)
- Valence (software tool for creating cognitive affective maps)
- CAM exploration and analysis (J. Fenn):
Published Articles
Livanec, S., Stumpf, M., Reuter, L., Fenn, J. & Kiesel, A. (2022). Who’s gonna use this? Psychological acceptance prediction of emerging technologies and transdisciplinary considerations in the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/20530196221078924
Mansell, J., Reuter, L., Rhea, C., & Kiesel, A. (2021). A Novel Network Approach to Capture Cognition and Affect: COVID-19 Experiences in Canada and Germany. Frontiers in psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.663627
Reuter, L., Fenn, J., Bilo, T. A., Schulz, M., Weyland, A. L., Kiesel, A., & Thomaschke, R. (2021). Leisure walks modulate the cognitive and affective representation of the corona pandemic: Employing Cognitive‐Affective Maps within a randomized experimental design. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12283
Reuter, L., Mansell, J., Rhea, C. & Kiesel, A. (2021 in press). Direct Assessment of Individual Connotation and Experience: An Introduction to Cognitive-Affective Mapping. Politics and the Life Sciences, 1-21. doi:10.1017/pls.2021.31
Book Chapter
Nothdurft, U., Kreil, A., Kiesel, A. & Thomaschke, R. (2021). Die kognitiv-affektive Kartierung des Begriffs „Muße“. In M. Fludernik & T. Jürgasch, T. (Hrsg.), Semantiken der Muße aus interdisziplinären Perspektiven (pp. 127-159). Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
Bachelor and Master Theses
2021
Meyerding, L. (2021). Use of cognitive-affective maps (CAMs) to illustrate experiences with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. A validation study. Unpublished master thesis. Freiburg: Institut für Psychologie, Universität Freiburg.
2020
2018
Theory and Foundations
Thagard, P. (2010). EMPATHICA: A computer support system with visual representations for
cognitive-affective mapping. In: K. McGregor (ed), Proceedings of the workshop on visual
reasoning and representation (pp. 79–81). Menlo Park, CA: AAAI Press.
Collection of literature on Cognitive-Affective Maps by Paul Thagard