Blindness and mental representation of knowledge by concepts: Comparison between congenital and acquired blind people

Authors

  • Sandro de Castro Pitano Universidade Federal de Pelotas-UFPel
  • Rosa Elena Noal Universidade Federal de Pelotas-UFPel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/edu.2018.222.12236

Abstract

The article analyzes the mental representation of knowledge by congenital and acquired blind individuals, based on geographical concepts, in order to understand how the blind process information and use other senses when stimulated to conceptualize objects and phenomena on which they have notions. The investigation reveals that the life experience of the acquired blind, amplified by the temporary vision, facilitated the establishment of more advanced connections in relation to the congenital ones. Therefore, the condition of both on knowledge and its representation is unequal, manifesting the need for interactive experiences to be adapted and qualified in relation to the biological and cultural characteristics differentiated from the blind, especially in educational spaces such as schools.

Keywords: visual impairment, mental representation, knowledge.

Author Biographies

Sandro de Castro Pitano, Universidade Federal de Pelotas-UFPel

Doutor em Educação pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), professor Adjunto do Instituto de Ciências Humanas (ICH) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel).

Rosa Elena Noal, Universidade Federal de Pelotas-UFPel

Doutora em Geografia pela Universidadede São Paulo (USP), professora associada do Instituto de Ciências Humanas (ICH) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel)

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Published

2018-05-23

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2018): April/June

Section

Articles

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