ERIC Number: EJ1055984
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0278-7393
EISSN: N/A
Accessibility versus Accuracy in Retrieving Spatial Memory: Evidence for Suboptimal Assumed Headings
Yerramsetti, Ashok; Marchette, Steven A.; Shelton, Amy L.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, v39 n4 p1106-1114 Jul 2013
Orientation dependence in spatial memory has often been interpreted in terms of accessibility: Object locations are encoded relative to a reference orientation that affords the most accurate access to spatial memory. An open question, however, is whether people naturally use this "preferred" orientation whenever recalling the space. We tested this question by asking participants to locate buildings on a familiar campus from various imagined locations, without specifying the heading to be assumed. We then used these pointing judgments to infer the approximate heading participants assumed at each location. Surprisingly, each location showed a unique assumed heading that was consistent across participants and seemed to reflect episodic or visual properties of the space. This result suggests that although locations are encoded relative to a reference orientation, other factors may influence how people choose to access the stored information and whether they appeal to long-term spatial memory or other more sensory-based stores.
Descriptors: Accuracy, Spatial Ability, Memory, Familiarity, Campuses, Buildings, Cognitive Processes, Task Analysis, Perspective Taking, Undergraduate Students
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maryland
Grant or Contract Numbers: 0920221