Psychological representation of visual impairment
John Ravenscroft in The Routledge Handbook of Visual Impairment, 2019
Thus far we have reviewed the perceptual changes that occur with visual experience or the lack thereof. Given that most higher-level cognitive processing is based on inferences about the outside world that are validated with perceptual information, any initial changes in sensation or perception will have higher-order consequences (Proulx, 2013). One such example is the behaviours that are classified as aspects of spatial cognition. Spatial cognition has been tested in blind individuals for a suite of behaviours, including memory for arrays of objects lying within the manipulatory space (arm’s length), environmental knowledge, wayfinding and navigation. On the one hand, some researchers have reported results suggesting that congenitally blind people do not fully develop spatial cognition, and thus perform poorer than sighted and late blind participants (Pasqualotto and Newell, 2007). On the other hand, other researchers have reported that visual experience is not necessary for the development of spatial cognition and that blind individuals can perform spatial tasks without visual experience (Landau, Gleitman and Spelke, 1981).
ENTRIES A–Z
Philip Winn in Dictionary of Biological Psychology, 2003
Cognition can be viewed as the use of a neural representation, or 'mental record' of some past experience as a basis for action (Domjan, 1998). SPATIAL COGNITION refers to the broad subset of cognitive func tions that deals with the storage, manipulation and processing of information pertaining to the characteristics of SPACE in an organism's environment, resulting in GOAL-DIRECTED BEHAVIOUR Different types of spatial cognition can be differentiated either by the type of spatial information that is being processed, or the way in which the spatial information is manipulated and used for the purpose of goal-directed behaviours. The processing of EGOCENTRIC or ALLOCENTRIC spatial information (see EGOCENTRIC SPACE; ALLOCENTRIC SPACE) or the consultation of a spatial map (see SPATIAL MAPPING) are some examples of different forms of spatial cognition characterized by the type of spatial information used. Likewise, different ways that spatial information can be used include SPATIAL MEMORY, NAVIGATION, EXPLORATION and HOARDING BEHAVIOUR. Spatial memory may be the most frequently discussed form of spatial cognition because other types of spatial functions are though to work in concert with this type of MEMORY. An example is exploration. An organism acquires spatial memory of predictable stimulus events within its environment. When the organism encounters a novel environment, current environmental stimuli are compared to the existing representation stored in spatial memory. When a discrepancy exists between the immediately perceptible environment and the one stored in memory, the organism becomes activated to either approach or withdraw, in order to eliminate the discrepancy. During the course of ongoing behaviour, different spatial cognitive functions may interact dynamically. When searching for one's car in a parking lot, one may initially consult a cognitive map of the environment in order to plan the shortest route to a landmark that is not visible initially. Upon arriving at this landmark, one may then use a simpler allocentric strategy, and go immediately left of the landmark towards the goal. Once the goal has been located and approached, egocentric spatial localization can be used to find one's car keys in one's pocket.
Detecting allocentric and egocentric navigation deficits in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder using virtual reality
Published in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 2018
Alireza Mohammadi, Ehsan Hesami, Mahmoud Kargar, Jamal Shams
Among the many aspects of cognitive functions which have been investigated in schizophrenia, spatial cognition is an interesting topic to study. Spatial cognition is associated with the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information about spatial environments. This ability enables people to manage location, direction, and movement, and to govern where they are (orientation), how to get resources, and how to find their way. In contrast, spatial disorientation is the inability to properly regulate body position in an environment. Hence, it is important to assess spatial navigation to prevent these problems. So far, a few virtual reality studies have been conducted to investigate allocentric and egocentric navigation deficits in schizophrenia, but studies on both memories in bipolar disorder are lacking. Some studies have suggested that individuals with medial temporal lobe damage are basically impaired in allocentric and/or egocentric spatial learning (Abrahams et al., 1997; Aguirre & D’esposito, 1997; Epstein et al., 2003; Folley, Astur, Jagannathan, Calhoun, & Pearlson, 2010; Habib & Sirigu, 1987; Hanlon et al., 2006; Landgraf et al., 2010; Maguire et al., 1996; Packard, Hirsh, & White, 1989; Spiers et al., 2001; Weniger & Irle, 2008).
Assessing working memory capacity through picture span and feature binding with visual-graphic symbols during a visual search task with typical children and adults
Published in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 2021
Barry T. Wagner, Lauren A. Shaffer, Olivia A Ivanson, James A. Jones
The current research expands knowledge in spatial cognition. First, this study examines working memory capacity during a picture span task requiring the maintenance of symbol identity, location, and sequence. A picture span procedure was used to assess capacity in spatial memory with typical third grade children and adults during visual search of symbols with verbal labels. Span tasks determine the functional limit of how many representations can be kept active in working memory, and often predict abilities in reading comprehension, following directions, and solving problems (Meier & Kane, 2017). Secondly, this study evaluated feature binding, a spatial construct of working memory that explains how symbols, their locations, and sequences are bound together. Research in feature binding is relevant for understanding performance on visuospatial tasks, particularly in situations where task demands exceed working memory capacity. Lastly, involvement of both children and adults allowed the assessment of feature binding along a developmental continuum in a population of typical participants.
Topographical Working Memory in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Published in Journal of Motor Behavior, 2021
Åsa Bartonek, Laura Piccardi, Cecilia Guariglia
Undoubtedly, locomotion is more than organizing a pattern of movements to make forward progression; it is in effect a close understanding of the spatial layout and the mutual spatial relationship between the individual and the environment (Andersen et al., 2014). What infants remember about how a space is mapped out is inseparably linked to their movements through that space. Maintaining an orientation to the external layout, memorizing landmarks and recalling the objects location, are features of spatial cognition, making functional locomotion related to navigation and memory (Clearfield, 2004). Spatial cognition includes the mental representation of near, peri-personal and reaching space and that of far, extra-personal and navigational space, processed by nearly partially segregated neurocognitive systems (Berti & Frassinetti, 2000; Nemmi et al., 2013; Rizzolatti et al., 2000) which seem to develop differently during growth (Piccardi, Palermo, et al., 2014; Piccardi, Leonzi, et al., 2014). Spatial cognition includes the ability to code spatial information (spatial coding), to remember positions and locations of objects and of environmental features (spatial memory), to use the memorized information for acting or moving in space (spatial planning), as well as spatial awareness. Within spatial cognition, topographic working memory enables encoding and maintaining online sequences of environmental cues that are central during navigation (Piccardi, Palermo, et al., 2014; Piccardi et al., 2015). Owing to topographic memory, the individual can reach various places in the environment, find the shortest way between two positions, recognize spatial layouts and orient in familiar environments (Palmiero & Piccardi, 2017).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cognition
- Cognitive Psychology
- Spatial Memory
- Knowledge
- Neuroscience
- Salience
- Enactivism
- Mental Representation
- Axis