Intrinsic Reference Systems in Map Displays

Abstract

Within the area of navigation displays, the distinction between track-up display and fixed-orientation displays (north-up) has received a lot of attention. Theoretically, this distinction has been linked to different spatial frames of reference. Using alignment effects, recent studies on the role of different reference systems in human spatial memory have identified the important role of environmental and intrinsic reference systems for the cognitive organization of spatial information. In the first experiment of its kind, we tested the effects of alignment of an observer with the visible, local environment and the global, large-scale environment depicted in a You-are-Here type of map display while holding the usually emphasized relation between map orientation and observer orientation constant. Our results show that both alignments have a strong and additive effect on memory performance, suggesting a new and important dimension for the design of spatial information displays such as maps.