Spatial Memory & Navigation

Objectives: 1. To introduce spatial performance as a topic in

psychological science2. To illustrate how diverse psychological perspectives

contribute to our understanding of how people and other animals find their way around in the world

Cognitive & Learning: Psychologists are interested in the types of cues to humans and nonhuman animals use to navigate around their environment. Experiments can be conducted to find out whether, for instance, they use environmental cues (i.e., signs, building or room features) or remember which direction (left, right) they turned.

Neuroscience: Psychologists can study which brain areas are activated when spatial tasks are solved. In laboratory animals, they may record electrical signals from neurons or measure the release of chemicals in the brain. In humans, brain activity can be measured through or scalp or with imaging devices. How damage to various brain areas impairs spatial performance also can be examined.

Clinical: Research in clinical psychology helps us to understand, treat, and prevent disorders of spatial memory. People with memory problems can learn techniques (memory note books) to help them remember where they put things and how to locate places.

Human factors: How do we design buildings and living or work spaces, communities that are easy to find and navigate, given what we know about human behavior and problem solving skills? Psychologists are interested in questions such as these.

Related Readings

Scientific American articles: • “Visualizing the Mind,” 1994• “From Point A to Theta,” 1999• “Running a Virtual Maze,” 1999• “Building a Brainier Mouse,” 2000• “Mind Readers,” 2003

Brain Briefs, Society for Neuroscience:http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/index.html

• “Brains in Space,” 2000• “Brain Imaging,” 1996