Abstract:

This research aims to investigate the cognitive structures of social studies teacher candidates regarding political geography with the word association test. The scanning method was used in the research. 4th-grade social studies teacher candidates at a state university in Turkey in the 2022-2023 academic year participated in the research. We conducted the research with 26 teacher candidates, selected using the criterion sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The Word Association Test (WAT) form obtained the research data. “Political geography, geographical necessity, dominance theory, continental shelf, problematic region, a form of government, international power struggles, conflict zones, geopolitics, and Turkey's neighbors” were keywords in the WAT form. Prospective teachers formed concepts regarding each keyword, and we created a frequency table for these concepts. Then, we prepared concept network maps based on this frequency table. We used the breakpoint technique in the preparation of the concept network maps. As a result of the research, social studies teacher candidates formed 561, a concept about political geography. When the sentences made by social studies teacher candidates about political geography concepts were examined, it was determined that the number of sentences containing scientific information was 161, and the number of sentences containing non-scientific or superficial information was 86. As a result of the research, the word association test is an important tool in determining prospective teachers' perceptions of certain concepts. It is recommended that social studies teacher candidates be given training to improve their cognitive levels on the subject.

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