A geometric process for spatial reorientation in young children

Nature. 1994 Jul 7;370(6484):57-9. doi: 10.1038/370057a0.

Abstract

Disoriented rats and non-human primates reorient themselves using geometrical features of the environment. In rats tested in environments with distinctive geometry, this ability is impervious to non-geometric information (such as colours and odours) marking important locations and used in other spatial tasks. Here we show that adults use both geometric and non-geometric information to reorient themselves, whereas young children, like mature rats, use only geometric information. These findings provide evidence that: (1) humans reorient in accord with the shape of the environment; (2) the young child's reorientation system is impervious to all but geometric information, even when non-geometric information is available and is re-presented by the child--such information should improve performance and is used in similar tasks by the oriented child; and (3) the limits of this process are overcome during human development.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Orientation*
  • Rats
  • Space Perception
  • Spatial Behavior*