Open AccessAudiovisual communication of object-names improves the spatial accuracy of recalled object-locations in topographic maps
Author(s) -
Nils Lammert-Siepmann,
Anne-Kathrin Bestgen,
Dennis Edler,
Lars Kuchinke,
Frank Dickmann
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0186065
Subject(s) - object (grammar) , computer science , object based spatial database , cognitive map , orientation (vector space) , artificial intelligence , spatial analysis , visualization , reading (process) , spatial cognition , identity (music) , computer vision , information retrieval , cognition , geography , psychology , linguistics , spatial database , mathematics , philosophy , physics , remote sensing , geometry , neuroscience , acoustics
Knowing the correct location of a specific object learned from a (topographic) map is fundamental for orientation and navigation tasks. Spatial reference systems, such as coordinates or cardinal directions, are helpful tools for any geometric localization of positions that aims to be as exact as possible. Considering modern visualization techniques of multimedia cartography, map elements transferred through the auditory channel can be added easily. Audiovisual approaches have been discussed in the cartographic community for many years. However, the effectiveness of audiovisual map elements for map use has hardly been explored so far. Within an interdisciplinary (cartography-cognitive psychology) research project, it is examined whether map users remember object-locations better if they do not just read the corresponding place names, but also listen to them as voice recordings. This approach is based on the idea that learning object-identities influences learning object-locations, which is crucial for map-reading tasks. The results of an empirical study show that the additional auditory communication of object names not only improves memory for the names (object-identities), but also for the spatial accuracy of their corresponding object-locations. The audiovisual communication of semantic attribute information of a spatial object seems to improve the binding of object-identity and object-location, which enhances the spatial accuracy of object-location memory.