Automatic Spatial Updating During Locomotion Without Vision

People can update their spatial relationships relative to the environment while walking without vision. The hypothesis that such updating is automatic was tested in a locomotor task in which the subjects were asked to refrain from updating their positions. Subjects walked without vision to one of four previously seen targets via a second location. In one condition-the updating condition-the subjects were asked to walk to the real position of the target relative to the second location; in another-the ignoring condition-they were asked to imagine that they had not moved from the starting point and to walk from the second location as if walking to the target from the initial location. When the subjects were asked to start walking to the target as soon as it was named by the experimenter, they performed better in the updating condition than in the ignoring condition. When the subjects were allowed more time to respond, the difference in performance between these two conditions disappeared. The results suggest that the subjects automatically updated their positions as they moved, but that, given enough time, they could override this updating retrospectively using more deliberate cognitive processing.     

角色目标对空间维度非线索更新的影响

采用实时窗口阅读技术,探讨文本阅读中角色目标在情境模型空间维度非线索更新中的作用。实验一结果表明,阅读中。如果文本叙述中的角色在一个目标指引下展开活动．那么可以促进相应空间设置内的物体的更新。实验二考察了不同性质的角色目标在空问信息加工中的作用,结果发现,相对于已经达成的目标,未达成的目标对情境模型空间维度非线索更新的影响更大。     

Spatial Updating Strategy Affects the Reference Frame in Path Integration

This study investigated how spatial updating strategies affected the selection of reference frames in path integration. Participants walked an outbound path consisting of three successive waypoints in a featureless environment and then pointed to the first waypoint. We manipulated the alignment of participants’ final heading at the end of the outbound path with their initial heading to examine the adopted reference frame. We assumed that the initial heading defined the principal reference direction in an allocentric reference frame. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to use a configural updating strategy and to monitor the shape of the outbound path while they walked it. Pointing performance was best when the final heading was aligned with the initial heading, indicating the use of an allocentric reference frame. In Experiment 2, participants were instructed to use a continuous updating strategy and to keep track of the location of the first waypoint while walking the outbound path. Pointing performance was equivalent regardless of the alignment between the final and the initial headings, indicating the use of an egocentric reference frame. These results confirmed that people could employ different spatial updating strategies in path integration (Wiener, Berthoz, & Wolbers Experimental Brain Research 208(1) 61–71, 2011), and suggested that these strategies could affect the selection of the reference frame for path integration.     

文本表征中情境模型空间维度更新研究述评

情境模型空问维度更新是文本阅读研究的重要内容．当前研究集中在更新的条件及其影响因素两个方面。该文对空间维度更新研究巾的研究角度、研究范式和研究结果的特点进行了总结,在此基础上着重介绍了关于空间信息加工的实时更新与条件更新的两种不同的观点及其争议,并对其进行了简要评价。     

The Neural Correlates of Updating Information in Verbal Working Memory

The aim of the present study was to re-examine cerebral areas subserving the updating function of the central executive with a running span task requiring subjects to watch strings of consonants of unknown length and then to recall serially a specific number of recent items. In order to dissociate more precisely the updating process from the storage function, a four-item instead of a six-item memory load was used, contrary to our previous study (Salmon et al., 1996). In addition, a serial recall procedure was preferred to a recognition procedure in order to suppress the use of visuospatial strategies. The most significant increase of rCBF occurred in the left frontopolar cortex (Brodmann's area 10), spreading to the left middle frontal (Brodmann's area 46). Results suggest that frontopolar activation underlies an updating process in working memory.     

文本表述结构对空间维度非线索更新的影响

采用实时窗口阅读技术,探讨阅读中文本表述结构在情境模型空间维度非线索更新中的作用。实验一结果表明,阅读中,如果文本叙述中采用以人为参照的描述方式,那么可以促进相应空间设置内物体的实时更新。实验二考察了空间设置不同程度的描述对空间信息加工中的影响,结果发现,相对于对空间设置的简单描述,在文本中对空间设置进行精细阐述更有利于情境模型空间维度非线索更新的达成。     

The Effects of volume on Perceived Heaviness by Dynamic Touch: With and Without Vision

In 3 experiments, we examined the effects of task characteristics on the selection of a reach action (mode) when several alternatives are afforded. In the bead pickup task, actors had to skewer a 2-mm bead using a sewing needle. Performing this task entailed significant postural control and visual requirements. The block pickup task involved picking up a 3-cm Lego(r) block using a 2-finger grip, which entailed minimal postural and visual demands. In Experiment 1, as reach distance increased, actors performing the bead task consistently changed to reach modes that afforded greater postural stability at closer distances than they did for the block task. Also, during the bead task actors avoided the partial standing reach mode from which it was difficult to maintain the postural control required to complete the bead task. Mode avoidance was not observed for the block task. Experiment 2 showed that actors changed reach modes at distances at which the relative comfort of 2 reach modes changed. The outcome of Experiment 3 indicated that the selection of action mode, including mode avoidance, was associated more closely with the postural demands of the task than visual requirements. The outcome of this investigation indicates that people choose actions that effect the necessary postural control required to complete the task.     

情境模型建构过程中空间信息的作用探讨

本研究采用扇效应技术来进一步探讨空间信息在情境模型建构过程当中的作用。共分为两个分实验。实验1通过在材料中使用同样具有可“移动性”的物体概念（例如快餐车）来探讨“可移动性”是否是“[人]在[大场所]”材料范式下观察不到信息整合的根本原因。实验2将材料中的“大场所”地点替换为“中场所”地点,来进一步探讨空间信息在情境模型建构过程中的作用特点。结果表明“人的可移动性”不是“[人]在[大场所]”材料范式下观察不到信息整合的原因并且在不受个体背景知识衰减的情况下．空间信息对情境模型建构的影响作用强于主人公信息的影响作用。     

Development of Visually Guided Locomotion

This article presents a developmental account of changes in the visual guidance of locomotion. In contrast to the impressive efficiency of adult locomotion, locomotor activity is not under prospective control at the onset of human mobility. Infants require extensive crawling and walking experience before responding adaptively to variations in the terrain. At the same time that they are learning to navigate in increasingly varied environments, their bodies and skills are rapidly changing. Learning generalizes from safe, flat ground to novel surfaces but it does not transfer to new methods of locomotion. We account for these patterns of generality and specificity of learning by focusing on the role of exploratory behavior in detecting threats to balance control.     

Energy Processing Characteristics of Spatial Vision: The Spectral Characteristics of Perceptive Fields

To this stage a large amount of information has accumulated on one-dimensional broadband frequency channel characteristics of the visual system. Only recently have attempts been made to define additional two-dimensional narrow-band response profiles-particularly in central vision. In this paper questions concerning the number, tuning widths and phase sensitivity of such two-dimensional narrow-band coding units are reviewed. Results with grating and two-dimensional images are discussed, particularly within the context of energy processing and information reduction strategies which reflect human performance. Finally, a consequent principle of univariance is defined and shown to hold with such filter units.     

Simultaneity in Processing of Verbal and Spatial Information

Recent studies involving recall of verbal and spatial information produced conflicting results. In some cases investigators found males recalled verbal and spatial information equally well whereas females did less well on spatial than verbal information, but in other cases no sex differences were found. They also differed in that one study found processing of verbal and spatial information to be independent whereas others suggested trade-offs might occur. Using college-age subjects (17-25 yrs) with equal numbers of males and females (total n = 186) two experiments were performed to examine these differences. Although overall differences were found favoring verbal recall, females’ recall of spatial information was relatively poorer than males. Using a procedure designed to avoid possible artifactual depression of combined performance, we concluded that processing of spatial and verbal information is simultaneous in nature.

     

Spatial Strategy Selection: Interesting Incremental Information

The aim of this article is to show that individuals differ in the way they solve spatial tasks of all kinds, and both research on and measurement of spatial ability could profit from an integration of strategy aspects. We first review evidence for both intra- and interindividual strategy differences (including gender differences) in 3 domains of spatial cognition: spatial ability tests, mental rotation, and environmental orientation and navigation. Then, we present additional evidence from 2 of our own studies. Finally, we discuss what a focus on strategy aspects could add to basic research and to spatial ability testing, and we give some concrete suggestions for integrating strategy assessment into standard spatial tests.     

空间信息表征对语义相关判断的影响

探讨空间信息对语义相关判断的影响。实验材料是具有内在纵向空间关系的词对,纵向呈现在计算机屏幕上,呈现顺序与指代物的空间位置次序一致或不一致,要求被试对词对进行语义相关判断。综合2个实验的结果表明,语义相关判断任务中被试会自动激活指代物的空间信息,并且其对空间信息的表征是知觉符号表征,而非表象表征。研究结果进一步支持了知觉符号理论。     

Some Characteristics of EMG Patterns During Locomotion

Myoelectric signals from several muscles of the lower limb were studied under various speed and stride length conditions. The main purpose was to determine invariant and variant features among these myoelectric patterns. A pattern recognition algorithm was used to analyze these activity patterns. Within-condition analysis revealed some common features among the EMG patterns. This suggests that the nervous system does not have to generate all the muscle activity patterns, only the common features that can, in appropriate combination, produce the necessary activity patterns. From the across condition analysis, the following rules emerged. First, both phasic component and magnitude (d.c. level) of the muscle activity patterns have to be modulated to meet the demands imposed by the various conditions. Second, the variability in the proximal muscle activity patterns across conditions are higher than the distal muscle activity patterns. Within each group, the extensor muscles and double-jointed muscles show greater variability than the flexor muscles and single-jointed muscles. And finally, the changes in the average value (d.c. level) of the muscle activity patterns across conditions are not uniform but show muscle and task specificity. For example, within the speed condition, the increase in d.c. level of the extensors with speed of locomotion show a proximal to distal trend. Based on these results, a conceptual model for the human locomotor control process is proposed.     

Multimodal Perception of Reachability Expressed Through Locomotion

We investigated the information that supports perception of whether an object is within reach using a locomotor task. Participants adjusted their own position relative to a fixed target by stepping or by propelling a wheelchair until they judged it to be within reach. The to-be-reached object was presented in virtual reality. The display of the target was driven in real time as a function of the observer's movement, thus depicting a stationary virtual object at a definite distance only through the relation across optical and nonoptical patterns of stimulation. We asked participants to judge the distance they could reach with their unaided hand or when holding a rod that extended their effective reach. They could see neither their body nor the rod thereby limiting available visual information about “reachability.” As expected, our results showed that despite the limited information that was available, participants' locomotor adjustments were influenced by (a) their simulated distance from the target, (b) their arm length, and (c) the presence or absence of the rod. The type of motion (stepping or wheelchair) had little influence. However, judgment accuracy was influenced by participants' initial simulated distance from the target. We compare the performance obtained in our locomotor judgment task with previous studies that have used different methods for measuring perceived reaching-ability. We discuss perceptual information that could have supported performance within the framework of the global array.     

Development of an Evidence-Based Information Booklet to Support Parents of Children Without a Diagnosis

The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based psychosocial information booklet for parents of children without a specific diagnosis, many of whom are seen through the genetic clinic. A mixed methods approach was adopted involving four phases. The first two phases involving a systematic review and in-depth interviews are summarised briefly but reported in detail elsewhere. Phase 3 comprised: (1) a grey literature search to identify relevant literature and resources from other patient organizations; (2) drafting the booklet using themes identified through the previous phases; (3) piloting the booklet with eight professional and support group stakeholders and (4) piloting the booklet with 14 parents (from Phase 2) to ensure the information reflected their experiences. In Phase 4, we assessed satisfaction with the booklet through a questionnaire completed by 38 parents. The booklet was well accepted. The importance of providing the booklet at the beginning of the parental ‘journey’ was identified. We have developed an evidence-based information booklet to support parents via a rigorous mixed methods approach. This booklet meets a largely unmet psychosocial need and could be used in practice to support parents of children without a diagnosis.     

Updating representations of learned scenes

Two experiments were designed to compare scene recognition reaction time (RT) and accuracy patterns following observer versus scene movement. In Experiment 1, participants memorized a scene from a single perspective. Then, either the scene was rotated or the participants moved (0°–360° in 36° increments) around the scene, and participants judged whether the objects’ positions had changed. Regardless of whether the scene was rotated or the observer moved, RT increased with greater angular distance between judged and encoded views. In Experiment 2, we varied the delay (0, 6, or 12 s) between scene encoding and locomotion. Regardless of the delay, however, accuracy decreased and RT increased with angular distance. Thus, our data show that observer movement does not necessarily update representations of spatial layouts and raise questions about the effects of duration limitations and encoding points of view on the automatic spatial updating of representations of scenes.