Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Original Article

Map learning and the alignment effect in young and older adults: how do they gain from having a map available while performing pointing tasks?

Auteurs: Erika Borella, Chiara Meneghetti, Veronica Muffato, Rossana De Beni

Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research | Uitgave 1/2015

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to investigate age-related differences between young and older adults in the impact of a map being available or not while performing aligned and counter-aligned pointing tasks. In the first study, 19 young adults (aged 20–30) and 19 young–old adults (aged 65–74) studied a map and performed a pointing task. In the second, three groups of adults, 19 of them young (aged 20–30), 19 young–old (aged 65–74), and 19 old–old (aged 75–84), studied a map and performed a pointing task, first with the map available, and then without it. The results of both studies showed that young and older adults’ performance was similar in aligned pointing, while the young performed better than the older adults in counter-aligned pointing. Analyzing the types of error, results showed that older adults made more counter-aligned pointing errors than young adults, both with and without the map. Having the map available improved all participants’ performance, however. Finally, visuo-spatial working memory was found to sustain pointing performance in all age groups and map conditions. Overall, these findings suggest that older adults are specifically susceptible to the alignment effect—making more counter-aligned errors—regardless of whether or not they have a map available while performing pointing tasks.
Literatuur
go back to reference Batschelet, E. (1981). Circular statistics in biology. New York: Academic Press. Batschelet, E. (1981). Circular statistics in biology. New York: Academic Press.
go back to reference Borella, E., Carretti, B., Cornoldi, C., & De Beni, R. (2007). Working memory, control of interference and everyday experience of thought interference: when age makes the difference. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 19, 200–206. doi:10.1007/BF03324690.PubMedCrossRef Borella, E., Carretti, B., Cornoldi, C., & De Beni, R. (2007). Working memory, control of interference and everyday experience of thought interference: when age makes the difference. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 19, 200–206. doi:10.​1007/​BF03324690.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Borella, E., Ghisletta, P., & de Ribaupierre, A. (2011). Age differences in text processing: the role of working memory, inhibition and processing speed. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66, 311–320. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbr002.CrossRef Borella, E., Ghisletta, P., & de Ribaupierre, A. (2011). Age differences in text processing: the role of working memory, inhibition and processing speed. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66, 311–320. doi:10.​1093/​geronb/​gbr002.CrossRef
go back to reference Borella, E., Meneghetti, C., Ronconi, L., & De Beni, R. (2013). Visuo-spatial abilities across the life span. Developmental Psychology. doi:10.1037/a0033818. Borella, E., Meneghetti, C., Ronconi, L., & De Beni, R. (2013). Visuo-spatial abilities across the life span. Developmental Psychology. doi:10.​1037/​a0033818.
go back to reference Cattell, R. B., & Cattell, H. E. P. (1963). Measuring intelligence with the culture fair tests. Champaign: Institute for Personality and Ability Testing. Cattell, R. B., & Cattell, H. E. P. (1963). Measuring intelligence with the culture fair tests. Champaign: Institute for Personality and Ability Testing.
go back to reference Craik, F. I. M., & Byrd, M. (1982). Aging and cognitive deficits: the role of attentional resources. In F. I. M. Craik & S. E. Trehub (Eds.), Aging and cognitive processes (pp. 191–211). New York: Plenum.CrossRef Craik, F. I. M., & Byrd, M. (1982). Aging and cognitive deficits: the role of attentional resources. In F. I. M. Craik & S. E. Trehub (Eds.), Aging and cognitive processes (pp. 191–211). New York: Plenum.CrossRef
go back to reference Craik, F. I. M., & Salthouse, T. A. (2008). Handbook of aging and cognition (3rd ed.). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum. Craik, F. I. M., & Salthouse, T. A. (2008). Handbook of aging and cognition (3rd ed.). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.
go back to reference De Beni, R., Borella, E., Carretti, B., Marigo, C., & Nava, L. A. (2008). BAC. Portfolio per la valutazione del benessere e delle abilità cognitive nell’età adulta e avanzata (The assessment of well-being and cognitive abilities in adulthood and aging). Firenze: Giunti OS. De Beni, R., Borella, E., Carretti, B., Marigo, C., & Nava, L. A. (2008). BAC. Portfolio per la valutazione del benessere e delle abilità cognitive nell’età adulta e avanzata (The assessment of well-being and cognitive abilities in adulthood and aging). Firenze: Giunti OS.
go back to reference De Beni, R., Pazzaglia, F., & Gardini, S. (2006). The role of mental rotation and age in spatial perspective-taking tasks: when age does not impair perspective-taking performance. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20, 807–821. doi:10.1002/acp.1229.CrossRef De Beni, R., Pazzaglia, F., & Gardini, S. (2006). The role of mental rotation and age in spatial perspective-taking tasks: when age does not impair perspective-taking performance. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20, 807–821. doi:10.​1002/​acp.​1229.CrossRef
go back to reference Hölscher, C., Büchner, S., Brösamle, M., Meilinger, T., & Strube, G. (2007). Signs and maps -Cognitive economy in the use of external aids for indoor navigation. In D. S. McNamara & J. G. Trafton (Eds.), Proceedings of the 29th Annual Cognitive Science Society (pp. 377–382). Austin: Cognitive Science Society. Hölscher, C., Büchner, S., Brösamle, M., Meilinger, T., & Strube, G. (2007). Signs and maps -Cognitive economy in the use of external aids for indoor navigation. In D. S. McNamara & J. G. Trafton (Eds.), Proceedings of the 29th Annual Cognitive Science Society (pp. 377–382). Austin: Cognitive Science Society.
go back to reference Inagaki, H., Meguro, K., Shimada, M., Ishizaki, J., Okuzumi, H., & Yamadori, A. (2002). Discrepancy between mental rotation and perspective-taking abilities in normal aging assessed by Piaget’s three-mountain task. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 24, 18–25. doi:10.1076/jcen.24.1.18.969.PubMedCrossRef Inagaki, H., Meguro, K., Shimada, M., Ishizaki, J., Okuzumi, H., & Yamadori, A. (2002). Discrepancy between mental rotation and perspective-taking abilities in normal aging assessed by Piaget’s three-mountain task. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 24, 18–25. doi:10.​1076/​jcen.​24.​1.​18.​969.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference ISTAT. (2011). Annuario statistico italiano 2011 (Italian statistic yearbook 2011). Roma: ISTAT. ISTAT. (2011). Annuario statistico italiano 2011 (Italian statistic yearbook 2011). Roma: ISTAT.
go back to reference Jansen, P., Wiedenbauer, G., & Hahn, N. (2010). Manual rotation training improves direction estimations in a virtual environmental space. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 22, 6–17. doi:10.1080/09541440802678487.CrossRef Jansen, P., Wiedenbauer, G., & Hahn, N. (2010). Manual rotation training improves direction estimations in a virtual environmental space. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 22, 6–17. doi:10.​1080/​0954144080267848​7.CrossRef
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Pastore, M. & De Beni, R. (under revision). The role of spatial abilities and self-assessments in cardinal point orientation across the lifespan. Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Pastore, M. & De Beni, R. (under revision). The role of spatial abilities and self-assessments in cardinal point orientation across the lifespan.
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Gyselinck, V., & De Beni, R. (2012a). Age differences in environment route learning: the role of input and recall-test modalities in young and older adults. Learning and Individual Differences, 22, 884–890. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2012.04.006.CrossRef Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Gyselinck, V., & De Beni, R. (2012a). Age differences in environment route learning: the role of input and recall-test modalities in young and older adults. Learning and Individual Differences, 22, 884–890. doi:10.​1016/​j.​lindif.​2012.​04.​006.CrossRef
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., De Beni, R., Gyselinck, V., & Pazzaglia, F. (2013b). The joint role of spatial ability and imagery strategy in sustaining the learning of spatial descriptions under spatial interference. Learning and Individual Differences, 24, 32–41. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2012.12.021.CrossRef Meneghetti, C., De Beni, R., Gyselinck, V., & Pazzaglia, F. (2013b). The joint role of spatial ability and imagery strategy in sustaining the learning of spatial descriptions under spatial interference. Learning and Individual Differences, 24, 32–41. doi:10.​1016/​j.​lindif.​2012.​12.​021.CrossRef
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Fiore, F., Borella, E., & De Beni, R. (2011b). Learning a map of environment: the role of visuo-spatial abilities in young and older adults. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 25, 952–959. doi:10.1002/acp.1788.CrossRef Meneghetti, C., Fiore, F., Borella, E., & De Beni, R. (2011b). Learning a map of environment: the role of visuo-spatial abilities in young and older adults. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 25, 952–959. doi:10.​1002/​acp.​1788.CrossRef
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Gyselinck, V., Pazzaglia, F., & De Beni, R. (2009). Individual differences in spatial text processing: high spatial ability can compensate for spatial working memory interference. Learning and Individual Differences, 19, 577–589. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2009.07.007.CrossRef Meneghetti, C., Gyselinck, V., Pazzaglia, F., & De Beni, R. (2009). Individual differences in spatial text processing: high spatial ability can compensate for spatial working memory interference. Learning and Individual Differences, 19, 577–589. doi:10.​1016/​j.​lindif.​2009.​07.​007.CrossRef
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Pazzaglia, F., & De Beni, R. (2012b). The mental representation derived from spatial descriptions is north-up oriented: the role of visuo-spatial abilities. In C. Stachniss, K. Schill, & D. Uttal (Eds.), Spatial cognition VIII, LNAI 7463 (pp. 262–278). Heidelberg: Springer.CrossRef Meneghetti, C., Pazzaglia, F., & De Beni, R. (2012b). The mental representation derived from spatial descriptions is north-up oriented: the role of visuo-spatial abilities. In C. Stachniss, K. Schill, & D. Uttal (Eds.), Spatial cognition VIII, LNAI 7463 (pp. 262–278). Heidelberg: Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Montello, D. R., Waller, D., Hegarty, M., & Richardson, A. E. (2004). Spatial memory of real environments, virtual environments, and maps. In G. Allen (Ed.), Human spatial memory: remembering where (pp. 251–285). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Montello, D. R., Waller, D., Hegarty, M., & Richardson, A. E. (2004). Spatial memory of real environments, virtual environments, and maps. In G. Allen (Ed.), Human spatial memory: remembering where (pp. 251–285). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
go back to reference Munzer, S., Zimmer, H., & Baus, J. (2012). Navigation assistance: a trade-off between wayfinding support and configural learning support. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 18, 18–37. doi:10.1037/a0026553.PubMed Munzer, S., Zimmer, H., & Baus, J. (2012). Navigation assistance: a trade-off between wayfinding support and configural learning support. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 18, 18–37. doi:10.​1037/​a0026553.PubMed
go back to reference Presson, C. C., DeLange, N., & Hazelrigg, M. D. (1987). Orientation-specificity in kinesthetic spatial learning: the role of multiple orientations. Memory and Cognition, 15, 225–229. doi:10.3758/BF03197720.PubMedCrossRef Presson, C. C., DeLange, N., & Hazelrigg, M. D. (1987). Orientation-specificity in kinesthetic spatial learning: the role of multiple orientations. Memory and Cognition, 15, 225–229. doi:10.​3758/​BF03197720.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Presson, C. C., DeLange, N., & Hazelrigg, M. D. (1989). Orientation specificity in spatial memory: what makes a path different from a map of the path? Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 15, 887–897. doi:10.1037/0278-7393.15.5.887.PubMedCrossRef Presson, C. C., DeLange, N., & Hazelrigg, M. D. (1989). Orientation specificity in spatial memory: what makes a path different from a map of the path? Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 15, 887–897. doi:10.​1037/​0278-7393.​15.​5.​887.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Richardson, A. E., Montello, D. R., & Hegarty, M. (1999). Spatial knowledge acquisition from maps and from navigation in real and virtual environments. Memory and Cognition, 27, 741–750. doi:10.3758/BF03211566.PubMedCrossRef Richardson, A. E., Montello, D. R., & Hegarty, M. (1999). Spatial knowledge acquisition from maps and from navigation in real and virtual environments. Memory and Cognition, 27, 741–750. doi:10.​3758/​BF03211566.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ruddle, R. A., Payne, S. J., & Jones, D. M. (1999). The effects of maps on navigation and search strategies in very-large-scale virtual environments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 5, 54–75. doi:10.1037/1076-898X.5.1.54. Ruddle, R. A., Payne, S. J., & Jones, D. M. (1999). The effects of maps on navigation and search strategies in very-large-scale virtual environments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 5, 54–75. doi:10.​1037/​1076-898X.​5.​1.​54.
go back to reference Sjolinder, M., Hook, K., Nilsson, L. G., & Andersson, G. (2005). Age differences and the acquisition of spatial knowledge in a three-dimensional environment: evaluating the use of an overview map as a navigation aid. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 63, 537–564. doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2005.04.024.CrossRef Sjolinder, M., Hook, K., Nilsson, L. G., & Andersson, G. (2005). Age differences and the acquisition of spatial knowledge in a three-dimensional environment: evaluating the use of an overview map as a navigation aid. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 63, 537–564. doi:10.​1016/​j.​ijhcs.​2005.​04.​024.CrossRef
go back to reference Snodgrass, J. G., & Vanderwart, M. (1980). A standardized set of 260 pictures: norms for name agreement, image agreement, familiarity, and visual complexity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory, 6, 174–215. doi:10.1037/0278-7393.6.2.174. Snodgrass, J. G., & Vanderwart, M. (1980). A standardized set of 260 pictures: norms for name agreement, image agreement, familiarity, and visual complexity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory, 6, 174–215. doi:10.​1037/​0278-7393.​6.​2.​174.
go back to reference Vecchi, T., & Richardson, J. T. E. (2000). Active processing in visuo-spatial working memory. Cahiers de Psychologie Cognitive, 19, 3–32. Vecchi, T., & Richardson, J. T. E. (2000). Active processing in visuo-spatial working memory. Cahiers de Psychologie Cognitive, 19, 3–32.
go back to reference Wechsler, D. (1981). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (rev edn). New York: Psychological Corporation. Wechsler, D. (1981). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (rev edn). New York: Psychological Corporation.
go back to reference Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Grasso, I., & De Beni, R. (2011c). Environment learning with map and/or description: age-related differences in young and older adults. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 1, 1–14. doi:10.1080/20445911.2011.603694. Meneghetti, C., Borella, E., Grasso, I., & De Beni, R. (2011c). Environment learning with map and/or description: age-related differences in young and older adults. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 1, 1–14. doi:10.​1080/​20445911.​2011.​603694.
Metagegevens
Titel
Map learning and the alignment effect in young and older adults: how do they gain from having a map available while performing pointing tasks?
Auteurs
Erika Borella
Chiara Meneghetti
Veronica Muffato
Rossana De Beni
Publicatiedatum
01-01-2015
Uitgeverij
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Gepubliceerd in
Psychological Research / Uitgave 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0727
Elektronisch ISSN: 1430-2772
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-014-0543-y

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2015

Psychological Research 1/2015 Naar de uitgave