Modelos mentales y aprendizaje de física en electricidad y magnetismo

A study conducted under the framework of Johnson-Laird's mental model theory is described. The objective of such a study was an attempt to categorize introductory college physics students according to the type of mental representations --propositions, images, and models-- they used when solving problems and conceptual questions in electricity and magnetism. The basic features of each category are presented and several examples are given. At the end implications for research and instruction are discussed