title: Reference-frame misalignment and cardinal direction judgments: group differences and strategies.
abstract: In 3 experiments, the authors examined how misalignment of egocentric and exocentric reference frames affects cardinal direction judgments. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated large differences in the accuracy and speed with which 104 less experienced and 7 experienced navigators made cardinal direction judgments. Reference-frame misalignment was associated with large performance decrements. The extent of these decrements diminished as ability and experience increased: however, even experienced navigators showed decrements when reference frames were misaligned. In Experiment 3, the authors used 55 college students to examine the individual subtasks of a common strategy for cardinal direction judgments and to isolate the effects of reference-frame misalignment to a particular subtask of this strategy. The tasks and strategies studied in this article can be applied in the development of navigational training and interfaces.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. gugeny@clemson.edu
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gugerty
authors.forename: Johnell
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D013028:Space Perception; D013037:Spatial Behavior