Mental representations of large and small spatial layouts are orientation dependent.
Abstract
Previous research on spatial memory indicated that memories of small layouts were orientation dependent (orientation specific) but that memories of large layouts were orientation independent (orientation free). Two experiments investigated the relation between layout size and orientation dependency. Participants learned a small or a large 4-point path (Experiment 1) or a large display of objects (Experiment 2) and then made judgments of relative direction from imagined headings that were either the same as or different from the single studied orientation. Judgments were faster and more accurate when the imagined heading was the same as the studied orientation (i.e., aligned) than when the imagined heading differed from the studied orientation (i.e., misaligned). This alignment effect was present for both small and large layouts. These results indicate that location is encoded in an orientation-dependent manner regardless of layout size.
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Reference frames are characteristic of how people conceptualize and represent large- and small-scale environments.
“Reference frames are characteristic of how people conceptualize and represent large- and small-scale environments (Roskos-Ewoldsen et al., 1998).”
From This is not the way: global directional cues do not improve spatial learning in an immersive virtual environment (2025) · cites this paper as Roskos-Ewoldsen et al., 1998
This finding is consistent with previous studies showing that egocentric orientation influences environmental encoding and retrieval.
“This finding is consistent with previous studies showing that egocentric orientation influences environmental encoding and retrieval (Roskos-Ewoldsen et al., 1998; Shelton & McNamara, 2004).”
From This is not the way: global directional cues do not improve spatial learning in an immersive virtual environment (2025) · cites this paper as Roskos-Ewoldsen et al., 1998
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“This finding is consistent with previous studies showing that egocentric orientation influences environmental encoding and retrieval (Roskos-Ewoldsen et al., 1998; Shelton & McNamara, 2004).”
- Authors
- Roskos-Ewoldsen, B., McNamara, T. P., Shelton, A. L., & Carr, W.
- Affiliations
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- University of Alabama (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
- Published
- 1998
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 215-226
- ISSN
- 0278-7393 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1285
- OpenAlex
- W2137912646
- Cited by
- 206
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 26.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Experimental Psychology Learning Memory and Cognition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH15792, T32MH015792)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- spatial memory, mental representation, location encoding, path learning
- MeSH terms
- Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Orientation, Reaction Time, Size Perception, Space Perception
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