Glossary · 5 · Multimedia and visual information
Spatial contiguity principle
Also known as: Spatial contiguity effect, Contiguity principle
German: Prinzip der räumlichen Nähe
In the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, the spatial contiguity principle states that people learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near each other on the page or screen rather than far apart, so that readers do not have to search and hold one while looking for the other.
- Applied cognitive psychology
- Multimedia and visual information
In one sentence
The spatial contiguity principle: people understand better when corresponding words and pictures are placed near each other, not far apart.
Example
A wiring step refers to “terminal X3” in the text while the figure is on the next page with a legend below it. The revision puts the figure next to the step and writes X3 at the terminal in the figure itself.
Rests on
- Split-attention effect and Working memory: separated sources of information must be integrated mentally, which consumes capacity.
- Visual search: legends and distant captions add search.
How it applies
- Figures: Labels and callouts at the parts instead of numbered legends; the figure next to the step that uses it.
- Machinery documentation: Labels on the machine that match the text; tables of values next to the figure of the component.
- Software documentation: Screenshot callouts next to the described field; error messages and their explanation together.
- Temporal contiguity: In video and animation, narration at the same time as the corresponding image (the related temporal contiguity principle).
Limits
- Ginns (2006) found the effects across many studies, mostly learning experiments; for experts or very simple material the benefit is small.
- Integration only helps when both sources are needed; adding text to a self-explanatory figure falls under the redundancy principle.