Spatial cognition is a process of processing information from the distance, size, and orientation of the space, and is the basis for people to survive and adapt to the world. As an advanced psychological process, spatial cognition itself is the key research object of Cognitive Psychology. Therefore, the role of emotional factors in the process of spatial cognition has been gradually explored from two perspectives. One is the impact of individual emotional state on spatial cognition and the other is the impact of emotionally laden landmarks on individual spatial cognition. Here, this review will sort out the research ideas from two aspects above.
First, we reviewed research methods and results of individual affective states as emotional factors. The main method is to use classical experimental paradigms such as the Morris Water Maze paradigm. Researchers manipulate participants' affective states, crossing valence (happy, sad) and arousal (high, low) by affect-laden images, music, video, and other ways. Then, the participants are required to complete some virtual spatial tasks such as the mental walking task, the landmark position task, the metric judgement task, and the route drawing task. During tasks, the data of physiological indicators such as brain activities and heart rate, as well as behavioral indicators such as accuracy and reaction time will be collected and analyzed. These results show that individual affective state has a certain impact on spatial working memory, the selection and utilization of spatial cues, geographical slant and height perception, but the specific impact mechanism is still unclear.
Second, we reviewed research methods and results of emotionally laden landmarks as emotional factors. Landmarks play an anchor role in our psychological representation of the physical environment and provide guiding information for spatial cognitive activities, especially way finding. The main method of most studies is to serve affect-laden images as emotionally laden landmarks, and then ask the participants to complete some virtual space tasks. For example, in an immersive virtual environment, participants are allowed to experience the first-person view to reach a target destination. These results show that emotionally laden landmarks make a difference to memory of landmarks, spatial distance estimates, and reproduction of the path. However, researchers have not yet reached an agreement on whether positive or negative emotional landmarks can improve people's spatial cognition. In other words, little is known about the mechanism of emotionally laden landmarks influencing individual spatial cognition.
Finally, based on the discussion above, we proposed the following three future directions: (1) Research in laboratory should be more tended to simulate realistic environments (e.g., using realistic cues such as the sun and building signs). (2) When manipulating participants' emotions, not only the general valence but also the specific emotions could be considered, such as fear, anger, sadness, and so forth for emotions with negative valence, and relaxation, love, happiness, and so forth for emotions with positive valence. (3) Researchers should pay more attention to clinical populations with topographical disorientation disorders as well as to patients suffering from mood disorders.
Key words
emotion /
emotionally laden landmarks /
spatial cognition
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