The Development of Strategies for Searching and Navigating Through Space
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Experimental Psychology
Abstract
This work addresses the nature of spatial representation and the findings will be presented to the scientific community through conferences and journal publications. The potential findings related to the Williams Syndrome individuals are particularly important because of the practical implications of the condition. This group is supported by a national foundation who have an active web site [http://www.williams-syndrome.org.uk] as well as annual meetings where experts can disseminate information to parents and caregivers. Both collaborators (CJ & AK-S) have spoken at these meetings.
Technical Summary
Spatial representation enables us to navigate our environment to find our way, search for lost items or forage for new ones. In this proposal, we use a recent experimental paradigm to examine the nature of developing spatial representation in typical and atypical children and adults. The findings will be used to test a theoretical model advocating the role of language in human spatial representation. Finally we plan to study navigating in Williams Syndrome individuals who have recognised visuospatial problems related to objects but unresolved abilities in space.
Publications
Liouta E
(2008)
Schizotypy and pseudoneglect: a critical update on theories of hemispheric asymmetries.
in Cognitive neuropsychiatry
Longstaffe KA
(2013)
Development of human spatial cognition in a three-dimensional world.
in The Behavioral and brain sciences
Longstaffe KA
(2014)
The influence of cognitive load on spatial search performance.
in Attention, perception & psychophysics
Pellicano E
(2011)
Children with autism are neither systematic nor optimal foragers.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Pellicano E
(2011)
Reply to Nemeth and Janacsek: Children with autism learn to search differently in a large-scale context
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Smith AD
(2009)
Mechanisms of large-scale environmental search: probability cueing depends on the relationship between landmarks and target distribution.
in Cognitive processing
Smith AD
(2008)
Visual search and foraging compared in a large-scale search task.
in Cognitive processing
Smith AD
(2010)
Probabilistic cuing in large-scale environmental search.
in Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition
Smith AD
(2010)
Going the distance: spatial scale of athletic experience affects the accuracy of path integration.
in Experimental brain research
Smith AD
(2008)
Reorientation in the real world: the development of landmark use and integration in a natural environment.
in Cognition
| Title | Foraging Room |
| Description | An computer-controlled environment that displays and measures responses to an array of visual targets in large space. A new technique to measure foraging and human spatial representation. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Publications |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public lecture on brain development & behaviour Press & media coverage |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Edinburgh Science Festival 2007 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public lecture on developing brain Media and press coverage |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |