The effects of forced spatial learning:
Should we always stay on the Yellow Brick Road?
Jonathan Pyke, Tamas Makany, Edward Redhead, & Itiel Dror
University of Southampton
jnp205@soton.ac.uk
Objectives
This study investigated the relationship between spatial learning and
subsequent navigation in an indoor environment. Specifically, we
examined whether navigation efficiency could be altered by manipulating
the exploratory strategy utilised.
Methods
Participants
55 students from the University of Southampton participated
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Materials
Spatially uniform experimental room
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Room dimensions 3.5 (length) x 3.5 (width) x 2.5 (height) metres
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The room contained five identical boxes with a distinct object
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inside each
Procedure * p<0.05
Phase 1 (“Free exploration”), individual walking patterns were
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identified using an automated cluster analysis algorithm as
described in Makany et al. (2007). These were clustered on
visual similarities
Figure 6. Binary visitations (standard deviation) for forced groups
Figure 1. Arrangement of Room during Free Exploration
Two distinct exploratory patterns were identified: Axial &
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Circular.
Makany et al. (2007) found that distinct exploratory patterns
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optimized navigation performance differently. Axial group was
cognitively more efficient, whilst Circulars were physically
efficient. This represented a trade off between distance
travelled and memory demands
Figure 7. Binary Errors (Standard deviation) for Figure 8. Frequency Errors (Standard deviation) for
subgroups subgroups
C‐C. Initial Circular, Forced Circular, A‐C. Initial Axial, Forced Circular
C‐A. Initial Circular, Forced Axial, A‐A. Initial Axial , Forced Axial
Figure 3. Circular cluster pattern
Figure 2. Axial cluster pattern
Phase 2 (“Forced Learning”) participants were forced to learn a
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similar spatial layout using either a matching or non‐matching
route to their initial exploratory pattern. Yellow carpet tiles
marked allowed paths. Participants were asked to “always
follow this Yellow Brick Road”.
Figure 4. Forced Circular pattern Figure 5. Forced Axial Pattern
• Phase 3 (“Test”) Yellow Brick Road (YBR) was removed.
Participants were instructed to navigate betweensequences of 3
objects in any order they wished using the most efficient path. In
total there were 12 trials.