Relationships between Visual Characteristics and Cognition of Pathes' Structure in Navigation

从路径的视觉特征与路径网络空间结构的概念性知识之间的关系的角度可以更好地阐明导航行为，因为导航行为与这两个信息有关。本研究利用漫游模拟技术，比较了基于视觉方面信息的行为与由网格型、T型、Y型和O型迷宫空间结构的概念信息构成的迷宫行为的异同。此外，天花板高度和墙面颜色也会对模型的空间认知产生影响。在地图学习给出的概念信息上，模型的空间认知比导游给出的视觉信息更准确和宽泛。在以往对实际环境的实验研究中，基于地图学习的重复行走并不一定会发展空间认知，因为地图学习产生的空间信息是概念性的和图式的。本研究中人工构建的路径网络似乎更容易被试对空间结构进行分类。相反，由于缺乏实际的人体运动，本研究中引导步行的空间认知对于受试者来说似乎是困难的，对于能够模拟导航者的身体运动和实际环境条件的方法学还有待进一步的研究，这些方法通常不能被操纵。

Behavior at navigation could be more clarified from the view point of the relationships between visual characteristics of path and conceptual knowledge of spatial structure of path network because the navigational behavior relates to the both information.Using a walk-through simulation technique, the study aims to compare the differences and similarities between behavior by information of visual aspects and one by conceptual information about the spatial structure of mazes which are composed as a grid-type, a T-type, a Y-type, and an 0-type. Additionally, ceiling heights and wall colors are also operated.The spatial cognition of a model is more exact and broad in the conceptual information given by map learning than in the visual information given by guided walking. And the cognitive style of the former is imaginary and the later is encoded in signal-like.In the previous experimental studies on actual environments, the repeated walking based on map learning did not necessarily develop the spatial cognition because spatial information by map learning was conceived conceptually and schematic. The artificially composed path network in this study seems to be easy for subjects to categorize the spatial structure. On the contrary, the spatial cognition in guided walking in this study seems to be difficult for the subjects because of the lack of actual body movements.The further study on the methodology which will enable to simulate navigators' physical movements and the actual environmental conditions, which can not be usually manipulated, should be more developed.