Wayfinding & Cognitive Ageing

Efficient spatial navigation not only requires accurate spatial knowledge but also the selection of appropriate strategies. In this project we use behavioural and eye-tracking paradigms to investigate the effect of cognitive ageing on navigation and wayfinding. Specifically, we are interested how different navigation strategies such as ego- and allocentric strategies, the switiching between navigation strategies, and fundamental spatial processes such as persepctive taking are effected by cognitive ageing.

• e.g.: Wiener, J.M., O. de Condappa, M.A. Harris, and T. Wolbers: Maladaptive bias for egocentric strategies in aguing humans. (under review)

What gaze behavior can tell us about wayfinding and spatial information processing

Where do we look when solving spatial problem, when recognizing places, or when navigating through familiar or novel environments? What does gaze behavior reveal about the perception and processing of spatial information when solving different navigation tasks? In a non-spatial context, gaze behavior has already been shown to be influenced by the task (e.g., judging the ages of people in a drawing vs. estimating their material circumstances), not just by the intrinsic salience
of objects. Moreover, in everyday activities, different tasks have characteristic but flexible patterns of eye-movements that are similar between participants. And finally, gaze behavior has been demonstrated to both reflect and influence decisions in an  choice paradigms. However, very little, if an y, work investigated gaze behavior in the context of wayfinding research. Thus, the goal of this project is the development of a basic understanding of (1) how gaze behavior relates to spatial movement decision making and to visuo-spatial properties of the choice alternatives and (2) how different navigation task influences gaze behavior during wayfinding.

First results suggest that gaze behavior predicts spatial movemement decisions and allows extracting which spatial information is processed when solving different spatial tasks. 

• e.g.: Wiener, J.M., C. Hölscher, S. Büchner, and L. Konieczny: Gaze Behaviour during Space Perception and Spatail Decision Making. (under review)

The pragmatics of spatial memory

Although spatial memory has been subject of research for many decades, very little is known about the pragmatics of human spatial memory: How do we use the information stored in spatial memory in order to master everyday spatial tasks, e.g. plan complex path with multiple target locations or shuttling back and forth between distant locations. In this project I study mechanisms and heuristics underlying complex navigation behavior.

• e.g.: Wiener, J.M., M. Lafon, and A. Berthoz: Path planning under spatial uncertainty. Memory & Cognition,  36(3), 495-504 (2008)

Wayfinding heuristics and strategies - Interrelations between spatial behavior and language

Together with Dr. Thora Tenbrink from Bremen University I have received a research grant by the Volkswagen Stiftung. During this research project we study interrelations between spatial behavior and language.
More information is available  --> HERE <--.

• e.g.: T. Tenbrink & J.M. Wiener: The Verbalization of Multiple Strategies in a Variant of the Traveling Salesman Problem, Cognitive Processing (in press)

Interrelations between spatial structure and spatial behavior

Spatial behavior can not be seen independent of the form and strucure of the environment it is performed. This project aims at revealing systematic interrelations between spatial behavior and spatial structure. Any such interrelation promises novel insights into the mechanisms and strategies underlying human wayfinding behavior.

• e.g.:  Wiener J.M., Franz G., Rossmanith N., Reichelt A., Mallot H.A., Bülthoff H.H., "Isovist analysis captures properties of space relevant for locomotion and experience" Perception 36(7) 1066-1083 (2007)

Neural basis of spatial behavior

In cooperation with Dr. Thomas Wolbers from UCSB we study the neural foundation of basic navigation mechanisms. Using functional brain imaging, we recently studied the neural basis of visual path integration.

• e.g.: Wolbers T., J.M. Wiener, H.A. Mallot, and C. Büchel: Differential recruitment of hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex and the hMT+ complex during path integration in humans. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(35), 9408-9416 (2007)

Virtual Environments Library (veLib)

The Virtual Environments Library (veLib) is an extensible framework for the development of distributed realtime virtual reality applications.

• see:  http://www.kyb.mpg.de/de/projects.html?prj=191&compl=0