Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Role of Hippocampus in Memory

Role of Hippocampus in Memory

The hippocampus, a critical brain structure, plays an essential role in memory processing, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memory. This small, seahorse-shaped region is located within the medial temporal lobe, with one hippocampus in each brain hemisphere. Experimental studies involving lesions in the hippocampi of rats have demonstrated significant impairments in tasks such as object recognition and maze navigation, indicating the hippocampus involvement in both recognition and...

Long-Term Memory

Long-Term Memory

Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...

Eyewitness Memory

Eyewitness Memory

Eyewitness memory refers to the recollection of events by someone who has directly witnessed them, often serving as critical evidence in legal settings. This type of memory is commonly used in criminal cases where a witness describes details like a suspect's appearance, clothing, or behavior during a crime. However, despite its perceived reliability, eyewitness memory is prone to significant errors.
One such error is memory distortion, which occurs because human memory does not function like a...

Sensory Memory

Sensory Memory

Sensory memory captures information from the environment in its original form for a very brief duration, just long enough to be exposed to visual, auditory, and other senses. This type of memory is detailed and rich but quickly lost unless certain strategies are employed to transfer it into short-term or long-term memory. Sensory information is continuously bombarding the human brain, yet only a small fraction is absorbed, as most of it does not significantly impact daily life. For instance,...

Implicit Memories

Implicit Memories

Implicit memories, also known as non-declarative memories, are long-term memories that function outside of conscious awareness. These memories influence behavior and skills without explicit knowledge. This type of memory is evident in tasks like playing tennis, snowboarding, and texting. Implicit memory has three subsystems: procedural memory, conditioning, and priming. This type of memory is essential in various activities, from everyday tasks to specialized skills.
One key aspect of implicit...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Sex based differences in time processing were found in newly developed tasks.

Psychological research·2026

Same author

The Contribution of Internal and External Factors to Human Spatial Navigation.

Brain sciences·2024

Same author

Heart rate variability modulates memory function in a virtual task.

Physiology & behavior·2024

Same author

Application of Virtual Reality in Spatial Memory.

Brain sciences·2023

Same author

Reversal Training Discloses Gender Differences in a Spatial Memory Task in Humans.

Brain sciences·2023

Same author

Clockwise rotation of perspective view improves spatial recognition of complex environments in aging.

Scientific reports·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessing Human Spatial Navigation in a Virtual Space and its Sensitivity to Exercise

Assessing Human Spatial Navigation in a Virtual Space and its Sensitivity to Exercise

Published on: January 26, 2024

Sexual orientation and spatial memory.

Ma Rosa Cánovas¹, José Manuel Cimadevilla

¹Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain.

|November 4, 2011

Summary

Sexual orientation influences spatial navigation, particularly in men

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Human Sexuality

Background:

Spatial learning and memory are crucial cognitive functions.
Understanding how individual differences, such as sexual orientation, impact these abilities is important.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of sexual orientation on spatial learning and memory in humans.
To differentiate effects on reference memory versus working memory.

Main Methods:

Participants completed the Boxes Room task, a virtual reality Holeboard.
Experiment I assessed reference memory with constant reward locations.
Experiment II assessed working memory with changing reward locations.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Published on: January 3, 2017

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessing Human Spatial Navigation in a Virtual Space and its Sensitivity to Exercise

Assessing Human Spatial Navigation in a Virtual Space and its Sensitivity to Exercise

Published on: January 26, 2024

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Published on: January 3, 2017

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Heterosexual men outperformed homosexual men and heterosexual women in the reference memory task.
Homosexual individuals made more errors in spatial navigation compared to heterosexual individuals.
No significant differences in working memory performance were found across sexual orientations.

Conclusions:

Sexual orientation is linked to spatial navigation abilities, primarily in men.
This association appears specific to reference memory, suggesting a role for the hippocampal system.
Working memory is not affected by sexual orientation in this context.