MAP ALIGNMENT IN TRAVELING MULTISEGMENT ROUTES

Two hypotheses were based on previous research with simple path maps a nd you-are-here maps. First, when given a choice, observers prefer to align a map with the environment that it represents; second, performan ce on way finding tasks is better when the map is aligned than when it is not aligned with the environment. This latter phenomenon is called the map alignment eff ect. Both hypotheses were strongly supported in two experiments conducted in a relatively structured environment usin g four-segment paths. A third experiment was conducted in a larger, wo oded, hilly environment. The observers carried the map and consulted i t at will while finding a route from a starting point to a goal. In th is setting, both hypotheses again found support. Observers did not con sult the map at every turn, but when they did, they turned the map int o map/environment alignment on two thirds of the instances. Errors occ urred with greater frequency when the map was not aligned with the env ironment. The generality of the map alignment effect was thus demonstr ated for larger and more complex environments than have previously bee n studied and with more naturalistic map-use procedures than have been used. Finally, there was clear evidence that observers acquired incid ental knowledge about the spatial structure of the environment while u sing a map to negotiate the environment, despite the fact that there w as no explicit requirement to learn. Questions remain about the nature of the learning and retention of information so acquired.