Brown Bag Talk by Prof Francesca Pazzaglia on 12 Feb

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Speaker: Prof Francesca Pazzaglia

Title: What factors affect spatial learning and navigation? How abilities, strategies and instructions interact in affecting the performance of wayfinding tasks

Date: 12 Feb 2014, 12pm

Venue: AS4/02-08 (Psychology Department Meeting Room)

Abstract:

Spatial knowledge can be acquired from navigation and from other different sources. In particular, human beings have the capacity to construct abstract spatial representations through the use of symbolic supports, such as language, and from virtual reality (VR). I will examine the role played by spatial ability, working memory, sense of direction, and instructions in navigation through real and VR environments. Data will be presented in support of a model of spatial learning where personal characteristics, sources of learning and tasks interact in affecting navigation and spatial representation. The outcomes will be discussed at the light of theories of spatial learning.

About the Speaker:

Francesca Pazzaglia is Professor of Psychology at University of Padua. Her main topics are memory and spatial representations. Francesca investigates cognitive processes implied in spatial representations, and the role played by verbal and visuospatial working memory in spatial ability, multimedia comprehension, spatial texts comprehension, and in the production of route directions. She has also investigated the crucial role played by several motivational and social variables, such as self-theories and gender stereotypes, in affecting spatial abilities and spatial learning.

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