University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Reference frame definition, use, and interaction in spatial memory

Street, Whitney N

Content Files
STREET-DISSERTATION-2017.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/97295

Description

Title
Reference frame definition, use, and interaction in spatial memory
Author(s)
Street, Whitney N
Issue Date
2017-04-04
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Wang, Raxiao
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Wang, Raxiao
Committee Member(s)
  • Simons, Daniel J.
  • Beck, Diane M.
  • Hummel, John E.
  • Federmeier, Kara D.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2017-08-10T19:14:42Z
Keyword(s)
  • Reference frames
  • Spatial memory
  • Judgment of relative direction (JRD)
Abstract
In order to preform actions and reason about spatial relationships in the world, a mental representation of spatial locations is needed. The exact nature of this representation has been debated among research groups with some concluding reference frames are self-based (egocentric), while others conclude spatial representations are independent from the self (allocentric or intrinsic). This research presents novel methods to assess spatial reference frame use in memory. Chapter 1 presents a framework for classifying reference frames. Specifically a distinction between reference direction and reference point is made. Chapter 2 details a novel attraction analysis paradigm to assess reference direction use. Chapter 3 details a bias distribution analysis, which can provide evidence for interacting reference directions. Chapter 4 presents a novel way to test reference point use in spatial memory. Chapter 5 combines these findings and concludes that an egocentric reference frame is encoded in memory and used during spatial tasks.
Graduation Semester
2017-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97295
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2017 Whitney N Street

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