Proximity to an edge affects search strategy in adults and children.
When searching for a hidden goal, search patterns are often defined according to one of two main search strategies: an absolute strategy, which usually involves searching at a fixed learned distance and direction from a particular reference point, or a relational strategy, which involves searching at a point that maintains the relationship between two or more other points. Past research has shown that humans tend to prefer a relational strategy whereas most non-humans prefer an absolute strategy. However, recent research (Hartley et al., 2004) used a simulated 3D environment to demonstrate that proximity to a boundary affects strategy. In particular, when searching close to an edge, human participants were more likely to use an absolute strategy whereas when searching at a central location, participants were more likely to use a relational strategy. The current studies extend the findings of Hartley et al. Experiment 1 showed that adult humans use different strategies based on the goal's proximity to the edge of a search space, and that strategies differed between males and females. Experiment 2 suggested that children also use different strategies based on the goal's proximity to a boundary, and that some goal locations may be harder to learn than others. Taken together, our results show that search strategies are flexible and context-specific.
Batty
Emily R
ER
Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. emily.batty@ualberta.ca
Spetch
Marcia L
ML
Parent
Marise
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013028:Space Perception