Uso de mapas mentais nas representações perceptivas de alunos do ensino fundamental do município de Ilha Grande, Piauí, Brasil: o caso do jacaré (Caiman crocodilus)

Abstract

The study of perception can contribute significantly to support proposals for animal species conservation. This study sought to find out what kinds of perceptive relationship the middle school student population from the city of Ilha Grande (PI) has about the caiman, aiming to provide background information to environmental education plans. Mental maps were used to represent each perception, and the drawings showed the presence of representative elements of the landscape (landmarks) and the existence of ambiguity in relation to the students' feelings about the figure of caiman: positive feelings (biophilia) and negative feelings (biophobia).