THE ROLE OF EMOTION DURING GEOLOGIC FIELD MAPPING: RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EMOTION, PERFORMANCE, AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Robert Drost, Emily M. Geraghty Ward, Julie C. Libarkin
Although affective variables are known to influence an individual’s decision-making process, the importance of emotional response during field mapping has not been extensively studied. In this study, we investigate the role emotions play in the completion of a geological field mapping exercise through an analysis of 29 post-mapping interviews conducted with undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals. Interview transcripts were coded for words that indicated instances of emotion. Considering the physical and mental demands placed on individuals engaged in field mapping exercises, varying degrees of comfort level together with a wide range of accompanying emotions can be expected. Documented emotions, those verbally expressed by the interviewees, cover a wide array of feelings and include but are not limited to: confidence, enjoyment, anxiety, and insecurity. When variables in experience, demographics and physical fitness are factored into the mapping exercise, performance may be impacted and reflected in expressed emotion. This study presents evidence that demonstrates how emotions significantly impact the performance levels of field mapping activities and how emotions correlate with demographic factors. In general, we find that: 1) lack of emotional and physical comfort can inhibit task completion; 2) perceived task enjoyment correlates positively with task completion; 3) prior knowledge of field mapping can encourage false confidence or lack of task completion; and 4) confidence and anxiety differ with gender.