The first-perspective alignment effect: The role of environmental complexity and familiarity with surroundings

Wilson, Paul; Tlauka, Michael; Carter, Pelham; Mahlberg, Tim; Wilson, Paul N.

Abstract

People often remember relatively novel environments from the first perspective encountered or the first direction of travel. This initial perspective can determine a preferred orientation that facilitates the efficiency of spatial judgements at multiple recalled locations. The present study examined this "first-perspective alignment effect" (FPA effect). In three experiments, university students explored three-path routes through computer-simulated spaces presented on a desktop computer screen. Spatial memory was then tested employing a "judgement of relative direction" task. Contrary to the predictions of a previous account, Experiment 1 found a reliable FPA effect in barren and complex environments. Experiment 2 strongly implicated the importance of complete novelty of the space surrounding the route in producing the effect. Experiment 3 found that, while familiarity with the surrounding space greatly attenuated the FPA effect with immediate testing, the effect reemerged following a 7-day delay to testing. The implications for the encoding and retrieval of spatial reference frames are discussed.

Citation

Tlauka, M., Carter, P., Mahlberg, T., & Wilson, P. N. (2011). The first-perspective alignment effect: The role of environmental complexity and familiarity with surroundings. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 64(11), 2236-2250. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2011.586710

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 20, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Aug 1, 2011
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2011
• Journal: QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
• Print ISSN: 1747-0218
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 2236-2250
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17470218.2011.586710
• Keywords: Frame of reference; Egocentric learning; Alignment; Spatial memory
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/423536
• Publisher URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/17470218.2011.586710