Enclosure shape influences cue competition effects and goal location learning.
In virtual-environment spatial-learning procedures, Experiment 1 investigated blocking of learning about distal landmarks beyond the walls of an enclosure following preliminary training to find a goal using local landmarks within the enclosure. Separate sets of blocking and control groups searched within enclosures that, in plan view, formed either a square or a circle. Blocking was apparent when training and testing occurred in the circular but not the square enclosure. In Experiment 2, preliminary training to find a goal using local landmarks blocked spatial learning based on a circular enclosure divided into four differently coloured sections. The results are discussed in relation to theories of incidental versus error-correcting learning linked to different types of spatial cue.
Wilson
Paul N
PN
Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, UK. P.Wilson@hull.ac.uk
Alexander
Tim
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention; D003463:Cues; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult