Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
12-2007
Abstract
A total of 41 participants explored a novel square-shaped environment containing five identical boxes each hiding a visually distinct object. After an initial free exploration the participants were required to locate the objects first in a predetermined and subsequently in an optional order task. Two distinct exploration strategies emerged: Participants explored either along the main axes of the room (axial), or in a more spatially spread, circular pattern around the edges of the room (circular). These initial exploration strategies influenced the optimality of spatial navigation performance in the subsequent optional order task. The results reflect a trade-off between memory demands and distance efficiency. The more sequential axial strategy resulted in fewer demands on spatial memory but required more distance to be travelled. The circular strategy was more demanding on memory but required less subsequent travelling distance. The findings are discussed in terms of spatial knowledge acquisition and optimality of strategy representations.
Discipline
Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Research Areas
Corporate Communication
Publication
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
Volume
60
Issue
12
First Page
1594
Last Page
1602
ISSN
1747-0218
Identifier
10.1080/17470210701536310
Publisher
Psychology Press
Citation
MAKANY, Tamas; REDHEAD, Edward S.; and DROR, Itiel E..
Spatial exploration patterns determine navigation efficiency: Trade-off between memory demands and distance travelled. (2007). Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 60, (12), 1594-1602.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/6655
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/17470210701536310