title: Examining reference frame interaction in spatial memory using a distribution analysis.
abstract: Previous research showed competition among reference frames in spatial attention and language. The present studies developed a new distribution analysis to examine reference frame interactions in spatial memory. Participants viewed virtual arrays of colored pegs and were instructed to remember them either from their own perspective or from the perspective aligned with the rectangular floor. Then they made judgments of relative directions from their respective encoding orientation. Those taking the floor-axis perspective showed systematic bias in the signed errors toward their egocentric perspective, while those taking their own perspective showed no systematic bias, both for random and symmetrical object arrays. The bias toward the egocentric perspective was observed when learning a real symmetric regular object array with strong environmental cues for the aligned axis. These results indicate automatic processing of the self reference while taking the floor-axis perspective but not vice versa, and suggest that research on spatial memory needs to consider the implications of competition effects in reference frame use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E. Daniel St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
authors.forename: Whitney N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Street
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E. Daniel St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA. francesw@cyrus.psych.illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Ranxiao Frances
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Error distribution; Judgment of relative direction; Reference frame; Spatial memory; Systematic bias