A New Framework for Understanding the Acquisition of Spatial Knowledge in Large-Scale Environments
Abstract
People acquire knowledge about the spatial layout of the places they experience (cities, neighborhoods, buildings). This includes knowledge of locations, distances, and directions. The acquisition of this knowledge begins immediately, as soon as one arrives in a place, but presumably continues over long time periods, for months, years, and even decades. This knowledge can become quite extensive and elaborate. It provides a framework for the organization of experience and supports sophisticated spatial behavior such as creative wayfinding and direction giving. The developmental process of acquiring knowledge about the spatial lay out of places over time is termed.
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Wayfinders' spatial knowledge formation increases with increased environmental exposure.
“wayfinders’ spatial knowledge formation increases with increased environmental exposure (Montello, 1998; Siegel & White, 1975).”
From The influence of landmark visualization style on task performance, visual attention, and spatial learning in a real-world navigation task (2024) · cites this paper as Montello, 1998
The effect of familiarity with the study area was controlled for in the analyses.
“Since familiarity with the study area might influence wayfinders’ spatial learning (Montello, 1998; Siegel & White, 1975), we controlled for the effect of familiarity in our analyses.”
From The influence of landmark visualization style on task performance, visual attention, and spatial learning in a real-world navigation task (2024) · cites this paper as Montello, 1998
The findings that more familiar people showed improved performance are not surprising and align with previous work suggesting that spatial knowledge formation increases with increased environmental exposure.
“These findings are not surprising and align with previous work suggesting that wayfinders’ spatial knowledge formation increases with increased environmental exposure (Montello, 1998; Siegel & White, 1975).”
From The influence of landmark visualization style on task performance, visual attention, and spatial learning in a real-world navigation task (2024) · cites this paper as Montello, 1998
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- Authors
- Montello, D. R.
- Corresponding author
- Montello, Daniel R
- Venue
- Spatial And Temporal Reasoning In Geographic Information Systems
- Publisher
- Oxford University PressNew York, NY
- Published
- 1998-03-05
- Pages
- 143-154
- OpenAlex
- W131738636
- Cited by
- 414
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 25
- FWCI
- 26.47
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oxford University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
- Social Sciences › Geography, Planning and Development › Geography Education and Pedagogy
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Urban Design and Spatial Analysis
- Keywords
- spatial knowledge acquisition, spatial configuration, wayfinding, giving directions, spatial cognition, cognitive development, large-scale environments, cities, neighborhood, buildings
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