INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THE USE OF COGNITIVE MECHANISMS UNDERLYING SURVEY-TYPE SPATIAL REPRESENTATIONS

Abstract

Although there exist clearly established differences between different types of cognitive mappers, the mechanisms underlying these differences still remain unclear. Moreover, the distinction between route-based and survey-based mappers is much more well- defined than that between survey-based mappers using different frames of reference. So, the purpose of this study was to use a dual-task paradigm to isolate the mechanisms underlying different types of survey-based spatial representations. Spatial-cognitive tests (PT, MR, RPDT) conducted alongside the dual-task paradigm provided additional support for the claim that qualitatively different primary processes underlie different survey representations. Based on data collected from 40 university students in Singapore, we found that allocentric-survey mappers took significantly more time on the IPDT than egocentric-survey mappers when simultaneously working on a task that utilises spatial working memory (SWM). These findings strongly indicate that allocentric-survey mappers and egocentric-survey mappers encode spaces differently, generating different spatial representations, although both types of mappers seem to be using WM to different extents, to create cognitive maps. This study opens up interesting avenues of further theoretical research and has practical uses such as better instruments for assessment, recruitment and training of personnel involved in high spatial ability tasks.