Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Perceptually induced distortions in cognitive maps

  • Alexander Klippel*
  • , Lothar Knuf
  • , Bernhard Hommel
  • , Christian Freksa
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Cities on a map that are directly connected by a route are judged closer than unconnected cities. This route effect has been attributed to memory distortions induced by the integration of map information with high-level knowledge about implications of route connections. However, depicted routes also connect cities visually, thereby creating a single visual object - which implies a perceptual basis of the route effect. In this article we show that the effect does not depend on whether a map is presented as a map or as a meaningless pattern of symbols and lines (Experiment 1), and that the effect occurs even if spatial judgments are made vis-à-vis a permanently visible configuration (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that the distorted spatial representation is a by-product of perceptual organization, not of the integration of abstract knowledge in memory by given organization principles.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpatial Cognition IV.
Subtitle of host publicationReasoning, Action, Interaction
EditorsChristian Freksa, Markus Knauff, Bernd Krieg-Bruckner, Bernhard Nebel, Thomas Barkowsky
PublisherSpringer
Pages204-213
Number of pages10
Volume3343
ISBN (Electronic)9783540322559
ISBN (Print)9783540250487
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference Spatial Cognition 2004: Spatial Cognition IV - Reasoning, Action, Interaction - Frauenchiemsee, Germany
Duration: 11 Oct 200413 Oct 2004

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence (Subseries of Lecture Notes in Computer Science)
PublisherSpringer Verlag
ISSN (Print)0302-9743

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumInternational Conference Spatial Cognition 2004: Spatial Cognition IV - Reasoning, Action, Interaction
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityFrauenchiemsee
Period11/10/0413/10/04

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Perceptually induced distortions in cognitive maps'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this