Path visualization: a method for objective measurement of spatial visualization. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lyon, Don R.; Gunzelmann, Glenn; Krusmark, Michael
• Is Part Of: Spatial cognition and computation. Volume 19:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 309
• Page End: 333
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Spatial memory -- spatial cognition -- visualization -- mental imagery; Space perception -- Periodicals; Geographical perception -- Periodicals; Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; 153.752
• DOI: 10.1080/13875868.2019.1643867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1387-5868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The ability to mentally represent spatial information is a fundamental cognitive process. To many people, this process feels a bit like visual perception, hence the term 'spatial visualization'. In this paper, we describe a method for measuring the accuracy of spatial visualization, specifically visualization of a complex path in imaginary space. A critical feature of this method (called Path Visualization) is that it relies on the detection of intersections in a visualized path. Intersection detection is an inherently spatial task that requires a spatial representation. In this paper, we show how the Path Visualization method works, and how it can be customized to address several key research issues in human spatial cognition.