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 (e.g., doors, signs and lighting) for acquiring cognitive maps of novel indoor layouts. This study asked whether visual impairment and age affect reliance on nongeometric visual information for layout learning. We tested three groups of participants-younger (< 50 years) normally sighted, older (50-70 years) normally sighted, and low vision (people with heterogeneous forms of visual impairment ranging in age from 18-67). 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.Keywords spatial navigation; wayfinding; visual impairment; low vision; aging; virtual environments; geometric visual information; cognitive maps; landmarks; environmental learning A typical building contains abundant visual features for aiding navigation, from geometric cues about the structural layout of the floor plan to cues unrelated to the layout geometry such as the presence of objects (e.g., pictures, water fountains) and image characteristics (e.g., textures, color and lighting). The current study addresses how two important participant characteristics, visual impairment and age, influence the types of visual information needed for developing an accurate mental representation of a novel virtual environment (VE). First, we ask whether rendering of purely geometrical information is sufficient for navigation in virtual buildings with visual impairment, and whether the addition of non-geometric visual features helps or hinders. Second, because the prevalence of visual impairment is much higher in old age, we ask whether age influences the use of geometric and non-geometric visual information.Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Amy A. Kalia, University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, Department of Psychology, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Email: kali0080@umn.edu. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptPerception. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2009 October 1. Published in final edited form as:Perception. 2008 ; 37(11): 1677-1699. doi:10.1068/p5915. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript Geometric and Non-geometric CuesIn this study, geometric cues refer to the spatial configuration of hallways, specifically their length and intersection connectivity. In F...

Executive and memory correlates of age-related differences in wayfinding performances using a virtual reality application

“…First, age-related differences were obtained in wayfinding performances, in line with previous studies in realistic VEs, where participants had to either navigate toward different targets from several positions (Foreman et al, 2005;Head & Isom, 2010;Iaria et al, 2009;Kalia et al, 2008;Lövdén, et al, 2005) or repeat previously learned routes (Head & Isom, 2010;Jansen et al, 2010). As the older and young adults had similar results on the VR-based spatial memory tasks, the age-related differences in wayfinding abilities observed in our study are likely not due to poor route and survey spatial knowledge.…”

“…Their results showed age-related differences in the wayfinding task but not in the pointing or map drawing task. Similar findings have been reported by Kalia et al (2008) using a photorealistic VE. So, the transfer of spatial knowledge from real to VEs may be possible in older adults, without cancelling of their wayfinding difficulties.…”

“…In regards to VR-based studies, three studies have investigated age differences in navigation tasks within a virtual environment (VE) (Head & Isom, 2010;Iaria et al, 2009;Lövdén et al, 2005), while two others have investigated age differences in navigation tasks that require the use and the transfer of spatial knowledge acquired in a VE to perform a navigation task under real conditions (Foreman et al, 2005;Kalia, Legge, & Giudice, 2008). Using a virtual district, Iaria et al (2009) showed age-related differences in the speed of learning the topography of the environment, but also in wayfinding performances (i.e., reaching for the targeted landmarks).…”

Headlock

“…and which helps them build a cognitive map of the space [14]. This cognitive map is essential for navigation as blind indi viduals rely on the identification of anticipated tactile land marks [25] along their path to determine their current lo cation (e.g.…”

Grasping the Interplay between the Verbal Cultural Diversity and Critical Thinking, and Their Consequences for African American Education

“…This difference in cognition between humans and animals is experimentally verified. Kalia et al (2008) point out that, in both animals and humans, there is categorization of non-geometrical modules (concrete concept or object such as a rock; allowing one to compute orientation in relation to a wall), and geometrical ones (abstract concept or object such as color concrete concept or object such as a rock; allowing one to compute orientation in relation to a wall). In animals as well as in newborn to toddlers these modules do not speak to each other.…”