Research Group: Representation of Time and Space in Cognitive Processes Fig 1. Axes & Regions around some shapes (Van der Zee, 1996)

Prototypical Spatial Relations. Rik Eshuis Issue. My research project follows up a series of experiments conducted with the method of the Spatial Language Paradigm (SLP; Van der Zee, 1996, fig 1). Two aspects can be discerned. The first is inspired by Hayward & Tarr (1995, fig. 2). An extension of the investigations is proposed with the aim of obtaining independent spatial evidence of the distinctions made in SLP. In particular, spatial representations of regions where relational prepositions (in front of, behind, above, under, to the left of and to the right of) refer to will be considered. The second aspect concerns the distinction made between prototypical and specific spatial representations. This distinction will be considered with respect to the mentioned regions (these regions are thought to be prototypical). Goal: The investigation of the connections of representations of spatial relations with conceptual representation, object-shape representation and attentional mechanisms. Prototypical spatial relations will be described in terms of regions centered around prototypes.

In GrKK since 04/97 as Ph.D. student Fig 2. Stimulus of Hayward & Tarr: Relocation is better on the thicker dots.

Fig 3. First experiment: The task is to relocate the dot with respect to the shape by means of the mousecursor Encoding phase Relocation phase

Method: Relocation of dots around shapes will be investigated (fig. 3) with the aim of obtaining effects of prototypes and boundaries of regions in the relocation patterns (i.e. bias of relocation reports towards prototypes and away from boundaries).

References:

Hayward, W.G. & Tarr, M.J. (1995). Spatial language and spatial representation. Cognition 55, 39-84.

Van der Zee, E. (1996). Spatial Knowledge and Spatial Language. Unpublished Master's thesis, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.