The cognitive architecture underlying human wayfinding behavior

这个研究项目的科学目标是调查人类寻路行为背后的认知架构。从陌生环境中的搜索和探索，到熟悉环境中具有多个目标位置的复杂路线规划，人类每天都能有效地解决多种寻路任务。本研究项目的基本假设是，人类寻路行为是基于多种认知成分和过程的复杂和动态的相互作用。根据寻路任务的不同，这些子组件在行为生成中扮演特定且可识别的角色。例如，在路线规划中，寻路行为被认为主要取决于内部因素，如空间记忆和规划过程，而在不熟悉的环境中，寻路则是基于对外部特征的感知，如环境的视觉空间特性、结构以及一般的搜索和探索策略。因此，为了理解人类寻路的认知架构，有必要将导航行为与特定的寻路任务、环境的空间属性和参与者的知识综合起来考虑。在虚拟环境中的一系列寻路实验中，所有这些因素都是系统变化的。将导航数据与环境、参与者知识和寻路任务的一般描述进行比较，将允许对人类寻路的机制、策略和启发式进行推断。基于这些实证研究结果，将开发有关特定寻路任务中认知成分和过程的使用、功能和相互作用的计算理论。

The scientific goal of this research project is the investigation of the cognitive architecture underlying human wayfinding behavior. Humans solve manifold wayfinding tasks efficiently on a daily basis, ranging from search and exploration in unfamiliar environments to complex route planning with multiple target locations in familiar environments. The basic assumption for this research project is that human wayfinding behavior is based on a complex and dynamic interplay of multiple cognitive components and processes. Depending on the wayfinding task, these subcomponents play specific and identifiable roles in the generation of behavior. In route planning, for example, wayfinding behavior is assumed to mainly depend on internal factors such as spatial memory and on planning processes, while wayfinding in unfamiliar environments is rather based on the perception of external features such as visuo-spatial properties of the environment, its structure, and on general search and exploration strategies. Consequently, for understanding the cognitive architecture underlying human wayfinding, it is necessary to consider navigation behavior integratively with respect to the specific wayfinding task, spatial properties of environments, and participants knowledge.In a series of wayfinding experiments in virtual environments all these factors are systematically varied. Comparisons of navigation data to generic descriptions of environments, participants knowledge, and wayfinding task will allow the inference of mechanisms, strategies, and heuristics underlying human wayfinding. Based on these empirical findings, computational theories about the use, function, and interplay of cognitive components and processes involved in specific wayfinding tasks will be developed.