Exploring the anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition

doi:10.1016/S0272-4944(87)80020-8

Journal of Environmental Psychology

Volume 7, Issue 2, June 1987, Pages 99-122

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(87)80020-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

The anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition, according to which primary nodes or reference points anchor distinct regions in cognitive space, brings together certain frequently reported apparent properties of mental maps: the regionalization and hierarchical organization of cognitive space, and the active role of salient cues in structuring spatial cognition. After a brief overview of the state of the art in cognitive mapping research, the anchor-point hypothesis is first explored conceptually, and then one particular version of it, the ‘tectonic plates’ hypothesis, is made operational. For that second part of the study, cognitive configurations derived from five subjects selected from a larger sample taken in Goleta, California are analyzed using three different methods, and features transcending any method-specific biases are identified. Although not entirely unambiguous, these first results seem encouraging and warrant further research in this direction.

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^*: This research was partially supported by Grant #SES84-07160 from the National Science Foundation.

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ArticleExploring the anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition*

Abstract

Journal of Environmental Psychology

International Journal of Man-Machine Studies

International Journal of Man-Machine Studies

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

A developmental perspective on the effects of ‘subdividing’ macrospatial experience

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory

Acquisition of cognitive skill

Psychological Review

Impossible cognitive spaces

Geographical Analysis

Cognitive Distance in Urban Space

Urban cognitive distance

Methodologies for the measurement of cognitive distance

Asymmetries in distance cognition

Geographical Analysis

Problems in cognitive distance and their implications for cognitive mapping

Environment and Behavior

Cognitive maps of a naturalistic setting

Child Development

Some applications of computer cartography to the study of cognitive configurations

Professional Geographer

Anchors and errors in cognitive images

Measuring spatial familiarity

Learning about urban environments

An anchor point theory of the acquisition of spatial knowledge and some empirical observations

Environmental cognition

Some comments on non-euclidean mental maps

Environment and Planning

Comparing objective and cognitive representations of environmental cues

Article
Exploring the anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition*