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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition
Published on: February 19, 2018
Responding to object files: automatic integration of spatial information revealed by stimulus-response compatibility
1Section of Experimental and Theoretical Psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands. hommel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Summary
Spatial object information guides actions, even when the object is no longer visible. Retrieving non-spatial details about an object enhances spatially corresponding responses, showing action-related data is stored with object representations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Perception
Background:
- Spatial information is crucial for object perception and representation.
- Object representations are believed to integrate sensory and spatial data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of integrated spatial object information in guiding spatial action.
- To determine if object representations store action-related spatial information.
Main Methods:
- Participants viewed objects and then retrieved non-spatial information about them.
- Response times were measured for actions spatially corresponding to the object's location.
- The effect was tested with objects present and absent.
Main Results:
- Retrieving non-spatial object information facilitated spatially corresponding responses.
- This facilitation occurred regardless of whether the object remained visible.
- Object representations appear to include stored action-related spatial information.
Conclusions:
- Integrated spatial object information is functional in guiding spatial action.
- Object representations store action-related information about affordances.
- This suggests a tight link between perception, representation, and action planning.
