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Related Experiment Videos

Spatial span under translation: a study of reference frames.

S E Avons1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, England. savons@essex.ac.uk

Memory & Cognition
|August 11, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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This study investigated spatial memory using a computer task. Results show that memory for location sequences relies on an intrinsic frame of reference tied to a visual template, not screen coordinates.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

  • Spatial memory is crucial for navigation and daily tasks.
  • Understanding the reference frames used for spatial memory is key to cognitive research.
  • Previous studies suggest both intrinsic and extrinsic frames can be used.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reference frame used in a computer-based spatial span task.
  • To determine if memory encoding relies on screen-based (extrinsic) or template-based (intrinsic) locations.
  • To examine the impact of display movement during encoding and recall on spatial memory performance.

Main Methods:

  • Participants performed a spatial span task with a movable template.
  • The template (enclosing target squares) was moved during presentation and/or recall.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Experiments manipulated template movement, sequence repetition, and screen location consistency.

    • Main Results:

    • Movement of the template during memory encoding significantly impaired performance.
    • Template movement during recall did not affect memory.
    • Learning was facilitated when sequences were repeated across trials, irrespective of screen location, suggesting an intrinsic frame of reference.

    Conclusions:

    • Spatial sequences in this task are encoded using an intrinsic reference frame tied to the template.
    • Movement during encoding disrupts memory by interfering with the formation of this intrinsic representation.
    • Findings highlight the dynamic interplay between attention, reference frames, and spatial memory encoding.