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Serge O. Dumoulin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Topographic Maps representing haptic numerosity reveals distinct sensory representations in supramodal networks
Nature Communications, 2021Co-Authors: Shir Hofstetter, Ben M. Harvey, Serge O. Dumoulin, Yuxuan CaiAbstract:Dedicated Maps for cognitive quantities such as timing, size and numerosity support the view that topography is a general principle of brain organization. To date, however, all of these Maps were driven by the visual system. Here, we ask whether there are supramodal Topographic Maps representing cognitive dimensions irrespective of the stimulated sensory modality. We measured haptically and visually driven numerosity-selective neural responses using model-based analyses and ultra-high field (7T) fMRI. We found Topographically organized neural populations tuned to haptic numerosity. The responses to visual or haptic numerosity shared a similar cortical network. However, the Maps of the two modalities only partially overlap. Thus, although both visual and haptic numerosities are processed in a similar supramodal functional network, the underlying neural populations may be related, but distinct. Therefore, we hypothesize that overlap between modality-specific Maps facilitates cross-modal interactions and supramodal representation of cognitive quantities.
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A network of Topographic numerosity Maps in human association cortex
2016Co-Authors: Ben M. Harvey, Serge O. DumoulinAbstract:Sensory and motor cortices each contain multiple Topographic Maps with the structure of sensory organs (such as the retina or cochlea) mapped onto the cortical surface. These sensory Maps are hierarchically organized. For example, visual field Maps contain neurons that represent increasing large parts of visual space with increasingly complex responses. Some visual neurons respond to stimuli with a particular numerosity, the number of objects in a set. We recently discovered a parietal Topographic numerosity map where neural numerosity preferences progress gradually across the cortical surface, analogous to sensory Maps. Following this analogy, we hypothesised that there may be multiple numerosity Maps. Numerosity perception is implicated in many cognitive functions including foraging, multiple object tracking, dividing attention, decision making and mathematics. Here we use ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI and neural model-based analyses to reveal numerosity-selective neural populations organized into six widely separated Topographic Maps in each hemisphere. Although we describe subtle differences between these Maps, their properties are very similar, unlike in sensory map hierarchies. These Maps are found in areas implicated in object recognition, motion perception, attention control, decision-making and mathematics. Multiple numerosity Maps may allow interactions with these many cognitive systems, suggesting a broad role for quantity processing in supporting many perceptual and cognitive functions.
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Topographic representations of object size and relationships with numerosity reveal generalized quantity processing in human parietal cortex
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015Co-Authors: Ben M. Harvey, Alessio Fracasso, Natalia Petridou, Serge O. DumoulinAbstract:Humans and many animals analyze sensory information to estimate quantities that guide behavior and decisions. These quantities include numerosity (object number) and object size. Having recently demonstrated Topographic Maps of numerosity, we ask whether the brain also contains Maps of object size. Using ultra-high-field (7T) functional MRI and population receptive field modeling, we describe tuned responses to visual object size in bilateral human posterior parietal cortex. Tuning follows linear Gaussian functions and shows surround suppression, and tuning width narrows with increasing preferred object size. Object size-tuned responses are organized in bilateral Topographic Maps, with similar cortical extents responding to large and small objects. These properties of object size tuning and map organization all differ from the numerosity representation, suggesting that object size and numerosity tuning result from distinct mechanisms. However, their Maps largely overlap and object size preferences correlate with numerosity preferences, suggesting associated representations of these two quantities. Object size preferences here show no discernable relation to visual position preferences found in visuospatial receptive fields. As such, object size Maps (much like numerosity Maps) do not reflect sensory organ structure but instead emerge within the brain. We speculate that, as in sensory processing, optimization of cognitive processing using Topographic Maps may be a common organizing principle in association cortex. Interactions between object size and numerosity Maps may associate cognitive representations of these related features, potentially allowing consideration of both quantities together when making decisions.
Michael A Silver - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Topographic Maps in human frontal and parietal cortex
Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2009Co-Authors: Michael A Silver, Sabine KastnerAbstract:Retinotopic mapping of functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) responses evoked by visual stimuli has resulted in the identification of many areas in human visual cortex and a description of the organization of the visual field representation in each of these areas. These methods have recently been employed in conjunction with tasks that involve higher-order cognitive processes such as spatial attention, working memory, and planning and execution of saccadic eye movements. This approach has led to the discovery of multiple areas in human parietal and frontal areas, each containing a Topographic map of visual space. In this review, we summarize the anatomical locations, visual field organization, and functional specialization of these new parietal and frontal Topographic cortical areas. The study of higher-order Topographic cortex promises to yield unprecedented insights into the neural mechanisms of cognitive processes and, in conjunction with parallel studies in non-human primates, into the evolution of cognition.
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Topographic Maps of visual spatial attention in human parietal cortex
Journal of Neurophysiology, 2005Co-Authors: Michael A Silver, David Ress, David J HeegerAbstract:Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure activity in human parietal cortex during performance of a visual detection task in which the focus of attention systematically traversed the visual field. Critically, the stimuli were identical on all trials (except for slight contrast changes in a fully randomized selection of the target locations) whereas only the cued location varied. Traveling waves of activity were observed in posterior parietal cortex consistent with shifts in covert attention in the absence of eye movements. The temporal phase of the fMRI signal in each voxel indicated the corresponding visual field location. Visualization of the distribution of temporal phases on a flattened representation of parietal cortex revealed at least two distinct Topographically organized cortical areas within the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), each representing the contralateral visual field. Two cortical areas were proposed based on this Topographic organization, which we refer to as IPS1 and IPS2 to indicate their locations within the IPS. This nomenclature is neutral with respect to possible homologies with well-established cortical areas in the monkey brain. The two proposed cortical areas exhibited relatively little response to passive visual stimulation in comparison with early visual areas. These results provide evidence for multiple Topographic Maps in human parietal cortex.
Frank Dickmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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grid overlays reduce bias in mental representations of Topographic Maps
Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 2019Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Julian Keil, Frank DickmannAbstract:Abstract. Reading spatial information from Topographic Maps to form mental representations that guide spatial orientation and navigation is a rather complex cognitive process. Perceptual and knowledge-driven processes interact to support the map reader in building these mental representations. The resulting cognitive Maps are not one-to-one mappings of the spatial information and known to be distorted systematically. It is assumed that spatial information is hierarchically organized in these mental models. We are interested in how map design based on cognitive principles supports memory formation and leads to less distorted mental representations. Based on the results of empirical studies we are able to show that overlaid grids in these Maps address the hierarchical nature of these mental representations of map space. When map users are asked to learn object locations in a map the availability of overlaid grid layers improve object location memory. This effect is independent of the shape of these grid patterns (square grids or hexagonal grids) and, moreover, can be shown to be effective even in situations where the grids are interrupted by other Maps layers (i.e. so-called illusory grids). These results seem best explained by the formation of less distorted mental representations based on the availability of superordinate hierarchical information and the application of Gestalt principles by the map user. Thus again, point to the interaction between perceptual and knowledge-driven processes in the formation of these mental representations of map space. This assumption receives further support by eye-tracking data that reveal that grids do not only attract attention towards their own location but also seem to structure the gaze patterns in relation to the relevant object locations that are not necessarily located close to a grid line.
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exploiting illusory grid lines for object location memory performance in urban Topographic Maps
Cartographic Journal, 2017Co-Authors: Frank Dickmann, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:In order to be successful in spatial orientation tasks, people need to recall locations and configurations of spatial objects from their memory. This understanding of geographic space often arises from experience with cartographic media representing Topographic and topological information by graphic symbols. Learning spatial information from graphic media is influenced by different perception-based grouping effects distorting the accuracy of spatial object-positions and their relations. Such geometric inaccuracies can be softened by adding a grid layer, which regionalizes the map and can be used as an additional orientation pattern. This grid layer usually consists of solid lines and overlays semantic information. The present paper reports the results of two empirical studies on object-location memory (OLM) performance. In these studies, the amount of visual detail of the grid layer was reduced. By positioning the grid layer below specific urban Topographic objects (study 1), the grid pattern was graphica...
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the processing and integration of map elements during a recognition memory task is mirrored in eye movement patterns
Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2016Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Martin Bordewieck, Annekathrin BestgenAbstract:Grid lines and visual detail in Topographic Maps support the encoding and recognition of object locations. Perception-based and knowledge-based functions are discussed to contribute to these effects, but little is known about how participants process such map elements. An eye-tracking study was conducted where participants were asked to learn object locations in Topographic Maps. The behavioural data of this recognition memory paradigm support the assumption of memory-enhancing functions of grids and Topographic detail. Eye-movement data reveal that during encoding, grids and Topographic detail trigger attentional shifts towards to-be-learned object locations. These eye-movement patterns are likely one factor contributing to an improved memory performance. Moreover, already the first fixations on a map are affected by the experimental manipulations. This result is particularly visible in the recognition phase and apparently indicates that grids and Topographic detail get integrated into the mental representation of the map.
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true 3d accentuating of grids and streets in urban Topographic Maps enhances human object location memory
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars Kuchinke, Frank DickmannAbstract:Cognitive representations of learned map information are subject to systematic distortion errors. Map elements that divide a map surface into regions, such as content-related linear symbols (e.g. streets, rivers, railway systems) or additional artificial layers (coordinate grids), provide an orientation pattern that can help users to reduce distortions in their mental representations. In recent years, the television industry has started to establish True-3D (autostereoscopic) displays as mass media. These modern displays make it possible to watch dynamic and static images including depth illusions without additional devices, such as 3D glasses. In these images, visual details can be distributed over different positions along the depth axis. Some empirical studies of vision research provided first evidence that 3D stereoscopic content attracts higher attention and is processed faster. So far, the impact of True-3D accentuating has not yet been explored concerning spatial memory tasks and cartography. This paper reports the results of two empirical studies that focus on investigations whether True-3D accentuating of artificial, regular overlaying line features (i.e. grids) and content-related, irregular line features (i.e. highways and main streets) in official urban Topographic Maps (scale 1/10,000) further improves human object location memory performance. The memory performance is measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations (hit rate) and the mean distances of correctly recalled objects (spatial accuracy). It is shown that the True-3D accentuating of grids (depth offset: 5 cm) significantly enhances the spatial accuracy of recalled map object locations, whereas the True-3D emphasis of streets significantly improves the hit rate of recalled map object locations. These results show the potential of True-3D displays for an improvement of the cognitive representation of learned cartographic information.
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the effects of grid line separation in Topographic Maps for object location memory
Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 2014Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:Research from the field of cognitive psychology provides evidence that cognitive representations of space based on Maps or map-like sketches are subject to systematic distortion tendencies. These distortions influence the orientation capacity as they represent errors in spatial memory. Map grids are a traditional feature of map graphics that has rarely been considered in research on spatial distortions in cognitive Maps. Grids traditionally assist the map reader in finding coordinates and objects, but they also provide a systematic and homogeneous structure for dividing up map information into smaller units supporting perception and spatial memory. In a previous study it was shown that grids improve object location memory. The aim of this study was to determine whether different sizes of grid cells have an effect on the quality of object location memory. Therefore, an empirical study including the test performances of 33 participants was carried out: the memory performance was measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations ( hit rate ) and the mean distance errors of correctly recalled objects ( spatial accuracy ). Three different intervals of grid line spacing ( Separation ) were applied to Topographic Maps. These Maps varied in their type of characteristic geographical areas, accompanied by three different levels of map complexity ( Landscape ). The results of this study show that both factors have an impact on object location memory in Topographic Maps. RESUME: La recherche sur la psychologie cognitive demontre que les representations cognitives de l’espace fondees sur des cartes ou des croquis ont tendance a faire l’objet de distorsion systematique. Ces distorsions influencent la capacite d’orientation puisqu’elles representent des erreurs dans la memoire spatiale. On a rarement tenu compte des grilles cartographiques, une caracteristique traditionnelle des representations graphiques de cartes, lors des recherches sur les distorsions spatiales dans les cartes cognitives. Par tradition, les grilles aident le lecteur d’une carte a trouver les coordonnees et les objets, mais elles fournissent egalement une structure systematique et homogene qui permet de diviser les renseignements contenus sur une carte en de plus petites unites, facilitant ainsi la perception et la memoire spatiale. Une etude realisee anterieurement a demontre que les grilles ameliorent la memoire servant a localiser les objets; cet article decrit une experience concue pour determiner si les differentes dimensions des cellules des grilles ont un effet sur la qualite de ce type de memoire. Dans une etude empirique des performances realisees par 33 participants a un test, la performance de la memoire a ete mesuree a la fois selon le pourcentage d’objets correctement localises( taux de succes ) et selon les erreurs de distance moyennes des objets correctement localises( exactitude spatiale ). Le test utilisait trois differents intervalles d’espacements des lignes des grilles ( separation ), intervalles appliques a des cartes topographiques de diverses regions geographiques selon trois differents niveaux de complexite cartographique ( topographie ). Les resultats ont revele que les facteurs pour la separation et la topographie ont tous deux des effets sur la memoire servant a localiser les objets sur les cartes topographiques.
Lars Kuchinke - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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grid overlays reduce bias in mental representations of Topographic Maps
Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 2019Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Julian Keil, Frank DickmannAbstract:Abstract. Reading spatial information from Topographic Maps to form mental representations that guide spatial orientation and navigation is a rather complex cognitive process. Perceptual and knowledge-driven processes interact to support the map reader in building these mental representations. The resulting cognitive Maps are not one-to-one mappings of the spatial information and known to be distorted systematically. It is assumed that spatial information is hierarchically organized in these mental models. We are interested in how map design based on cognitive principles supports memory formation and leads to less distorted mental representations. Based on the results of empirical studies we are able to show that overlaid grids in these Maps address the hierarchical nature of these mental representations of map space. When map users are asked to learn object locations in a map the availability of overlaid grid layers improve object location memory. This effect is independent of the shape of these grid patterns (square grids or hexagonal grids) and, moreover, can be shown to be effective even in situations where the grids are interrupted by other Maps layers (i.e. so-called illusory grids). These results seem best explained by the formation of less distorted mental representations based on the availability of superordinate hierarchical information and the application of Gestalt principles by the map user. Thus again, point to the interaction between perceptual and knowledge-driven processes in the formation of these mental representations of map space. This assumption receives further support by eye-tracking data that reveal that grids do not only attract attention towards their own location but also seem to structure the gaze patterns in relation to the relevant object locations that are not necessarily located close to a grid line.
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exploiting illusory grid lines for object location memory performance in urban Topographic Maps
Cartographic Journal, 2017Co-Authors: Frank Dickmann, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:In order to be successful in spatial orientation tasks, people need to recall locations and configurations of spatial objects from their memory. This understanding of geographic space often arises from experience with cartographic media representing Topographic and topological information by graphic symbols. Learning spatial information from graphic media is influenced by different perception-based grouping effects distorting the accuracy of spatial object-positions and their relations. Such geometric inaccuracies can be softened by adding a grid layer, which regionalizes the map and can be used as an additional orientation pattern. This grid layer usually consists of solid lines and overlays semantic information. The present paper reports the results of two empirical studies on object-location memory (OLM) performance. In these studies, the amount of visual detail of the grid layer was reduced. By positioning the grid layer below specific urban Topographic objects (study 1), the grid pattern was graphica...
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the processing and integration of map elements during a recognition memory task is mirrored in eye movement patterns
Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2016Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Martin Bordewieck, Annekathrin BestgenAbstract:Grid lines and visual detail in Topographic Maps support the encoding and recognition of object locations. Perception-based and knowledge-based functions are discussed to contribute to these effects, but little is known about how participants process such map elements. An eye-tracking study was conducted where participants were asked to learn object locations in Topographic Maps. The behavioural data of this recognition memory paradigm support the assumption of memory-enhancing functions of grids and Topographic detail. Eye-movement data reveal that during encoding, grids and Topographic detail trigger attentional shifts towards to-be-learned object locations. These eye-movement patterns are likely one factor contributing to an improved memory performance. Moreover, already the first fixations on a map are affected by the experimental manipulations. This result is particularly visible in the recognition phase and apparently indicates that grids and Topographic detail get integrated into the mental representation of the map.
-
true 3d accentuating of grids and streets in urban Topographic Maps enhances human object location memory
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars Kuchinke, Frank DickmannAbstract:Cognitive representations of learned map information are subject to systematic distortion errors. Map elements that divide a map surface into regions, such as content-related linear symbols (e.g. streets, rivers, railway systems) or additional artificial layers (coordinate grids), provide an orientation pattern that can help users to reduce distortions in their mental representations. In recent years, the television industry has started to establish True-3D (autostereoscopic) displays as mass media. These modern displays make it possible to watch dynamic and static images including depth illusions without additional devices, such as 3D glasses. In these images, visual details can be distributed over different positions along the depth axis. Some empirical studies of vision research provided first evidence that 3D stereoscopic content attracts higher attention and is processed faster. So far, the impact of True-3D accentuating has not yet been explored concerning spatial memory tasks and cartography. This paper reports the results of two empirical studies that focus on investigations whether True-3D accentuating of artificial, regular overlaying line features (i.e. grids) and content-related, irregular line features (i.e. highways and main streets) in official urban Topographic Maps (scale 1/10,000) further improves human object location memory performance. The memory performance is measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations (hit rate) and the mean distances of correctly recalled objects (spatial accuracy). It is shown that the True-3D accentuating of grids (depth offset: 5 cm) significantly enhances the spatial accuracy of recalled map object locations, whereas the True-3D emphasis of streets significantly improves the hit rate of recalled map object locations. These results show the potential of True-3D displays for an improvement of the cognitive representation of learned cartographic information.
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the effects of grid line separation in Topographic Maps for object location memory
Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 2014Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:Research from the field of cognitive psychology provides evidence that cognitive representations of space based on Maps or map-like sketches are subject to systematic distortion tendencies. These distortions influence the orientation capacity as they represent errors in spatial memory. Map grids are a traditional feature of map graphics that has rarely been considered in research on spatial distortions in cognitive Maps. Grids traditionally assist the map reader in finding coordinates and objects, but they also provide a systematic and homogeneous structure for dividing up map information into smaller units supporting perception and spatial memory. In a previous study it was shown that grids improve object location memory. The aim of this study was to determine whether different sizes of grid cells have an effect on the quality of object location memory. Therefore, an empirical study including the test performances of 33 participants was carried out: the memory performance was measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations ( hit rate ) and the mean distance errors of correctly recalled objects ( spatial accuracy ). Three different intervals of grid line spacing ( Separation ) were applied to Topographic Maps. These Maps varied in their type of characteristic geographical areas, accompanied by three different levels of map complexity ( Landscape ). The results of this study show that both factors have an impact on object location memory in Topographic Maps. RESUME: La recherche sur la psychologie cognitive demontre que les representations cognitives de l’espace fondees sur des cartes ou des croquis ont tendance a faire l’objet de distorsion systematique. Ces distorsions influencent la capacite d’orientation puisqu’elles representent des erreurs dans la memoire spatiale. On a rarement tenu compte des grilles cartographiques, une caracteristique traditionnelle des representations graphiques de cartes, lors des recherches sur les distorsions spatiales dans les cartes cognitives. Par tradition, les grilles aident le lecteur d’une carte a trouver les coordonnees et les objets, mais elles fournissent egalement une structure systematique et homogene qui permet de diviser les renseignements contenus sur une carte en de plus petites unites, facilitant ainsi la perception et la memoire spatiale. Une etude realisee anterieurement a demontre que les grilles ameliorent la memoire servant a localiser les objets; cet article decrit une experience concue pour determiner si les differentes dimensions des cellules des grilles ont un effet sur la qualite de ce type de memoire. Dans une etude empirique des performances realisees par 33 participants a un test, la performance de la memoire a ete mesuree a la fois selon le pourcentage d’objets correctement localises( taux de succes ) et selon les erreurs de distance moyennes des objets correctement localises( exactitude spatiale ). Le test utilisait trois differents intervalles d’espacements des lignes des grilles ( separation ), intervalles appliques a des cartes topographiques de diverses regions geographiques selon trois differents niveaux de complexite cartographique ( topographie ). Les resultats ont revele que les facteurs pour la separation et la topographie ont tous deux des effets sur la memoire servant a localiser les objets sur les cartes topographiques.
Annekathrin Bestgen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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grid overlays reduce bias in mental representations of Topographic Maps
Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 2019Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Julian Keil, Frank DickmannAbstract:Abstract. Reading spatial information from Topographic Maps to form mental representations that guide spatial orientation and navigation is a rather complex cognitive process. Perceptual and knowledge-driven processes interact to support the map reader in building these mental representations. The resulting cognitive Maps are not one-to-one mappings of the spatial information and known to be distorted systematically. It is assumed that spatial information is hierarchically organized in these mental models. We are interested in how map design based on cognitive principles supports memory formation and leads to less distorted mental representations. Based on the results of empirical studies we are able to show that overlaid grids in these Maps address the hierarchical nature of these mental representations of map space. When map users are asked to learn object locations in a map the availability of overlaid grid layers improve object location memory. This effect is independent of the shape of these grid patterns (square grids or hexagonal grids) and, moreover, can be shown to be effective even in situations where the grids are interrupted by other Maps layers (i.e. so-called illusory grids). These results seem best explained by the formation of less distorted mental representations based on the availability of superordinate hierarchical information and the application of Gestalt principles by the map user. Thus again, point to the interaction between perceptual and knowledge-driven processes in the formation of these mental representations of map space. This assumption receives further support by eye-tracking data that reveal that grids do not only attract attention towards their own location but also seem to structure the gaze patterns in relation to the relevant object locations that are not necessarily located close to a grid line.
-
exploiting illusory grid lines for object location memory performance in urban Topographic Maps
Cartographic Journal, 2017Co-Authors: Frank Dickmann, Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:In order to be successful in spatial orientation tasks, people need to recall locations and configurations of spatial objects from their memory. This understanding of geographic space often arises from experience with cartographic media representing Topographic and topological information by graphic symbols. Learning spatial information from graphic media is influenced by different perception-based grouping effects distorting the accuracy of spatial object-positions and their relations. Such geometric inaccuracies can be softened by adding a grid layer, which regionalizes the map and can be used as an additional orientation pattern. This grid layer usually consists of solid lines and overlays semantic information. The present paper reports the results of two empirical studies on object-location memory (OLM) performance. In these studies, the amount of visual detail of the grid layer was reduced. By positioning the grid layer below specific urban Topographic objects (study 1), the grid pattern was graphica...
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the processing and integration of map elements during a recognition memory task is mirrored in eye movement patterns
Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2016Co-Authors: Lars Kuchinke, Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Martin Bordewieck, Annekathrin BestgenAbstract:Grid lines and visual detail in Topographic Maps support the encoding and recognition of object locations. Perception-based and knowledge-based functions are discussed to contribute to these effects, but little is known about how participants process such map elements. An eye-tracking study was conducted where participants were asked to learn object locations in Topographic Maps. The behavioural data of this recognition memory paradigm support the assumption of memory-enhancing functions of grids and Topographic detail. Eye-movement data reveal that during encoding, grids and Topographic detail trigger attentional shifts towards to-be-learned object locations. These eye-movement patterns are likely one factor contributing to an improved memory performance. Moreover, already the first fixations on a map are affected by the experimental manipulations. This result is particularly visible in the recognition phase and apparently indicates that grids and Topographic detail get integrated into the mental representation of the map.
-
true 3d accentuating of grids and streets in urban Topographic Maps enhances human object location memory
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars Kuchinke, Frank DickmannAbstract:Cognitive representations of learned map information are subject to systematic distortion errors. Map elements that divide a map surface into regions, such as content-related linear symbols (e.g. streets, rivers, railway systems) or additional artificial layers (coordinate grids), provide an orientation pattern that can help users to reduce distortions in their mental representations. In recent years, the television industry has started to establish True-3D (autostereoscopic) displays as mass media. These modern displays make it possible to watch dynamic and static images including depth illusions without additional devices, such as 3D glasses. In these images, visual details can be distributed over different positions along the depth axis. Some empirical studies of vision research provided first evidence that 3D stereoscopic content attracts higher attention and is processed faster. So far, the impact of True-3D accentuating has not yet been explored concerning spatial memory tasks and cartography. This paper reports the results of two empirical studies that focus on investigations whether True-3D accentuating of artificial, regular overlaying line features (i.e. grids) and content-related, irregular line features (i.e. highways and main streets) in official urban Topographic Maps (scale 1/10,000) further improves human object location memory performance. The memory performance is measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations (hit rate) and the mean distances of correctly recalled objects (spatial accuracy). It is shown that the True-3D accentuating of grids (depth offset: 5 cm) significantly enhances the spatial accuracy of recalled map object locations, whereas the True-3D emphasis of streets significantly improves the hit rate of recalled map object locations. These results show the potential of True-3D displays for an improvement of the cognitive representation of learned cartographic information.
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the effects of grid line separation in Topographic Maps for object location memory
Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 2014Co-Authors: Dennis Edler, Frank Dickmann, Annekathrin Bestgen, Lars KuchinkeAbstract:Research from the field of cognitive psychology provides evidence that cognitive representations of space based on Maps or map-like sketches are subject to systematic distortion tendencies. These distortions influence the orientation capacity as they represent errors in spatial memory. Map grids are a traditional feature of map graphics that has rarely been considered in research on spatial distortions in cognitive Maps. Grids traditionally assist the map reader in finding coordinates and objects, but they also provide a systematic and homogeneous structure for dividing up map information into smaller units supporting perception and spatial memory. In a previous study it was shown that grids improve object location memory. The aim of this study was to determine whether different sizes of grid cells have an effect on the quality of object location memory. Therefore, an empirical study including the test performances of 33 participants was carried out: the memory performance was measured as both the percentage of correctly recalled object locations ( hit rate ) and the mean distance errors of correctly recalled objects ( spatial accuracy ). Three different intervals of grid line spacing ( Separation ) were applied to Topographic Maps. These Maps varied in their type of characteristic geographical areas, accompanied by three different levels of map complexity ( Landscape ). The results of this study show that both factors have an impact on object location memory in Topographic Maps. RESUME: La recherche sur la psychologie cognitive demontre que les representations cognitives de l’espace fondees sur des cartes ou des croquis ont tendance a faire l’objet de distorsion systematique. Ces distorsions influencent la capacite d’orientation puisqu’elles representent des erreurs dans la memoire spatiale. On a rarement tenu compte des grilles cartographiques, une caracteristique traditionnelle des representations graphiques de cartes, lors des recherches sur les distorsions spatiales dans les cartes cognitives. Par tradition, les grilles aident le lecteur d’une carte a trouver les coordonnees et les objets, mais elles fournissent egalement une structure systematique et homogene qui permet de diviser les renseignements contenus sur une carte en de plus petites unites, facilitant ainsi la perception et la memoire spatiale. Une etude realisee anterieurement a demontre que les grilles ameliorent la memoire servant a localiser les objets; cet article decrit une experience concue pour determiner si les differentes dimensions des cellules des grilles ont un effet sur la qualite de ce type de memoire. Dans une etude empirique des performances realisees par 33 participants a un test, la performance de la memoire a ete mesuree a la fois selon le pourcentage d’objets correctement localises( taux de succes ) et selon les erreurs de distance moyennes des objets correctement localises( exactitude spatiale ). Le test utilisait trois differents intervalles d’espacements des lignes des grilles ( separation ), intervalles appliques a des cartes topographiques de diverses regions geographiques selon trois differents niveaux de complexite cartographique ( topographie ). Les resultats ont revele que les facteurs pour la separation et la topographie ont tous deux des effets sur la memoire servant a localiser les objets sur les cartes topographiques.
