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Divide (evenly) and conquer (quickly): Spatial exploration behaviors predict navigational learning and differ by sex
Erica M Ward1, Jean M Carlson2, Elizabeth R Chrastil3
1Program in Mathematical, Computational, and Systems Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Cognition
|April 22, 2025
Summary
Even exploration, not just quantity, significantly impacts spatial learning and memory in new environments. How people explore virtual mazes predicts their navigational success and is linked to individual differences.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Navigation
Background:
- Spatial learning is crucial for navigating new environments.
- Understanding how exploration behaviors influence spatial memory is limited.
- Individual differences in spatial abilities are well-documented but their link to exploration strategies is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between exploration behaviors and spatial memory in healthy young adults.
- To determine how exploration strategies predict navigational performance.
- To explore the influence of individual differences on spatial learning during exploration.
Main Methods:
- 100 healthy young adults explored a virtual maze to learn object locations.
- Participants navigated between objects without feedback; accuracy and path efficiency were measured.
- Correlations and regression analyses examined relationships between exploration metrics, performance, and individual differences.
Main Results:
- Evenness of exploration and speed of finding objects correlated with navigational performance.
- Performance differences emerged early in exploration (by the 6th object found).
- Perspective-taking ability and video game experience were related to performance; sex differences were observed, mediated by exploration evenness.
Conclusions:
- Exploration behaviors, particularly evenness and efficiency, are strong predictors of navigational performance.
- The quality of exploration, not just the path taken, reflects an individual's spatial ability.
- Moment-to-moment exploration behaviors are critical for effective spatial learning and memory formation.
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