title: Learning building layouts with non-geometric visual information: the effects of visual impairment and age.
abstract: Previous studies suggest that humans rely on geometric visual information (hallway structure) rather than non-geometric visual information (eg doors, signs, and lighting) for acquiring cognitive maps of novel indoor layouts. In this study we asked whether visual impairment and age affect reliance on non-geometric visual information for layout learning. We tested three groups of participants-younger (<50 years of age) normally sighted; older (50-70 years of age) normally sighted; and low-vision (people with heterogeneous forms of visual impairment ranging in age from 18 to 67 years). Participants learned target locations in building layouts using four presentation modes: a desktop virtual environment (VE) displaying only geometric cues (sparse VE); a VE displaying both geometric and non-geometric cues (photorealistic VE); a map; and a real building. Layout knowledge was assessed by map drawing and by asking participants to walk to specified targets in the real space. Results indicate that low-vision and older normally sighted participants relied on additional non-geometric information to accurately learn layouts. In conclusion, visual impairment and age may result in reduced perceptual and/or memory processing that makes it difficult to learn layouts without non-geometric visual information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. kali0080@umn.edu
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kalia
authors.forename: Gordon E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Legge
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Giudice
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult