Individual Differences in Large-Scale Spatial Cognition

The Center for Spatial Studies conducts research on Large-Scale or Environmental Spatial Cognitive Processes, including learning the layout of new environments, wayfinding and navigation in known environments, and representing and communicating spatial information. Much of our work in this area has involved collaboration between Mary Hegarty (Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences) and Daniel R. Montello (Department of Geography). This research has contributed new measures, such as the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale, and basic research on the nature of individual differences in large-scale spatial cognition. Current research, funded by a seed grant from the UCSB Center for Creative Biotechnologies, is focused on identifying fundamental differences in neurological and cognitive processes that differentiate people with a good vs. poor sense of direction.

Tags: sense of direction, spatial cognition