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Navigational metacognition in aging: Encoding strategies and spatial representation.
1Georgia Institute of Technology, United States.
Neuropsychologia
|May 10, 2026
Summary
Older adults
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Spatial Cognition
Background:
- Navigation difficulties in older adults are linked to cognitive decline and reduced independence.
- A shift towards egocentric (self-centered) navigation strategies is common, but the reasons are unclear.
- Metacognitive monitoring's role in navigation strategy selection in older adults is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of metacognition in navigation strategy selection among older adults.
- To explore how metacognitive monitoring influences the choice between egocentric and allocentric navigation.
- To discuss implications for interventions aimed at enhancing spatial cognition in aging.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing findings from navigation research and non-navigation metacognition studies.
- Examination of how confidence in spatial memory affects strategy choice.
- Analysis of existing navigation strategy clusters in older adults.
Main Results:
- Older adults may avoid allocentric strategies due to metacognitive factors, not just ability deficits.
- Low confidence in visuospatial memory may lead to reliance on simpler, egocentric strategies.
- Strategy preference (e.g., egocentric vs. allocentric) does not necessarily indicate lower cognitive ability.
Conclusions:
- Metacognitive monitoring is crucial for understanding navigation strategy selection in older adults.
- Interventions should consider metacognitive confidence and strategy awareness.
- Improving metacognitive skills may help older adults adopt more effective navigation strategies.
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