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Intrinsic array structure is neither necessary nor sufficient for nonegocentric coding of spatial layouts
Nathan Greenauer1, David Waller
1Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA. greenanm@muohio.edu
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|October 18, 2008
Summary
Spatial memory organization relies on nonegocentric reference frames, but salient object structures are neither necessary nor sufficient for this process. Instructions, not intrinsic axes, guide spatial coding.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Spatial Cognition
- Human Memory
Background:
- Theorists propose nonegocentric reference frames, based on object configurations, organize spatial memory.
- The necessity and sufficiency of intrinsic stimulus structure for nonegocentric coding remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether salient intrinsic axes in object layouts are necessary or sufficient for using nonegocentric reference frames in spatial memory.
- To examine the influence of explicit instructions versus intrinsic array structure on spatial memory coding.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Participants used nonegocentric frames for arrays lacking salient intrinsic axes after instruction.
- Experiment 2: Participants defaulted to egocentric frames for arrays with salient intrinsic axes without instructions.
Main Results:
- Salient intrinsic axes are neither necessary nor sufficient for adopting nonegocentric spatial memory frames.
- Explicit instructions effectively guided participants toward nonegocentric coding, irrespective of array structure.
Conclusions:
- Physically salient array structure has minimal influence on spatial memory coding via nonegocentric reference frames.
- The findings highlight the role of instructional cues over intrinsic environmental features in spatial memory organization.
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