Skip to main content

Wayfinding Strategies in Behavior and Language: A Symmetric and Interdisciplinary Approach to Cognitive Processes

  • Conference paper
Spatial Cognition V Reasoning, Action, Interaction (Spatial Cognition 2006)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 4387))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

We present an interdisciplinary approach to the investigation of strategies and heuristics reflecting the cognitive processes underlying human wayfinding. To achieve this, we symmetrically investigate navigation behavior and associated language. This novel approach combines two completely different and independent directions of research that complement each other naturally and necessarily, but which have seldom been directly combined so far. The current focus on wayfinding strategies and heuristics is a fairly new scientific goal both in behavioral and linguistic research areas; also, the methods of discourse analysis have rarely been directly adopted to systematically investigate parallels between natural discourse and navigation behavior. In this paper, we outline and motivate our approach and present first results gained in combined empirical investigation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allen, G.: Principles and practices for communicating route knowledge. Applied Cognitive Psychology 14, 333–359 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avraamides, M.N., Loomis, J.M., Klatzky, R.L., Golledge, R.G.: Functional Equivalence of Spatial Representations Derived From Vision and Language: Evidence From Allocentric Judgments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition 30(4), 801–814 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, P., Peterson, M., Nadel, L., Garrett, M.: Language and Space. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L.A., van der Zee, E.: Functional features in language and space: Insights from perception, categorization and development. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, M., von Stutterheim, C.: The representation of spatial configurations in English and German and the grammatical structure of locative and anaphoric expressions. Linguistics 31, 1011–1041 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christenfeld, N.: Choices from identical Options. Psychological Science 6, 50–55 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, H.H.: Using Language. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1996)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Couclelis, H.: Verbal directions for way-finding: space, cognition, and language. In: Portugali, J. (ed.) The construction of cognitive maps, pp. 133–153. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (1996)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, M.-P., Denis, M.: Spatial Descriptions as Navigational Aids: A Cognitive Analysis of Route Directions. Kognitionswissenschaft 7(1), 45–52 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denis, M.: The description of routes: A cognitive approach to the production of spatial discourse. Cahiers de Psychologie Cognitive 16(4), 409–458 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Denis, M., Pazzaglia, F., Cornoldi, C., Bertolo, L.: Spatial discourse and navigation: an analysis of route directions in the city of Venice. Applied Cognitive Psychology 13(2), 145–174 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrich, V.: Zur Linguistik und Psycholinguistik der sekundären Raumdeixis. In: Schweizer, H. (ed.) Sprache und Raum: Ein Arbeitsbuch für das Lehren von Forschung, pp. 130–161. Metzler, Stuttgart (1985)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Filipi, A., Wales, R.: Perspective-taking and perspective-shifting as socially situated and collaborative actions. Journal of Pragmatics 36(10), 1851–1884 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, K., Moratz, R.: From Communicative Strategies to Cognitive Modelling. In: Workshop Epigenetic Robotics Lund (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonteyn, M.E., Kuipers, B., Grobe, S.J.: A Description of Think Aloud Method and Protocol Analysis. Qualitative Health Research 3(4), 430–441 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gärling, T., Gärling, E.: Distance minimization in downtown pedestrian shopping. Environment and Planning A 20, 547–554 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gärling, T., Säisä, J., Böök, J., Lindberg, E.: The spatiotemporal sequencing of everyday activities in the large-scale environment. Journal of Environmental Psychology 6, 261–280 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrod, S.C., Anderson, A.: Saying what you mean in dialogue: a study in conceptual and semantic co-ordination. Cognition 27, 181–218 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Habel, C.: Prozedurale Aspekte der Wegplanung und Wegbeschreibung. In: Schnelle, H., Rickheit, G. (eds.) Sprache in Mensch und Computer, pp. 107–133. Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden (1988)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Habel, C.: Incremental Generation of Multimodal Route Instructions. In: Freedman, R., Callaway, C. (eds.) Working Papers of the 2003 AAAI Spring Symposium on Natural Language Generation in Spoken and Written Dialogue, pp. 44–51. AAAI Press, Menlo Park, California (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday, M.A.K., Matthiessen, C.M.I.M.: Construing experience through meaning: a language-based approach to cognition. Cassell, London (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, W., Tarr, M.: Spatial language and spatial representation. Cognition 55, 39–84 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hermer-Vazquez, L., Spelke, E.S., Katsnelson, A.S.: Sources of Flexibility in Human Cognition: Dual-Task Studies of Space and Language. Cognitive Psychology 39(1), 3–36 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann, T., Grabowski, J.: Sprechen: Psychologie der Sprachproduktion. Spektrum Verlag, Heidelberg (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Herskovits, A.: Language and Spatial Cognition: an interdisciplinary study of the prepositions in English. Studies in Natural Language Processing. Cambridge University Press, London (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, J.R.: Granularity. In: Weld, D.S., de Kleer, J. (eds.) Qualitative Reasoning about Physical Systems, pp. 542–545. Morgan Kaufmann, San Mateo, California (1990)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hochmair, H., Frank, U.: Influence of estimation errors on wayfinding-decisions in unknown street networks - analyzing the least-angle strategy. Spatial Cognition and Computation 2(4), 283–313 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hölscher, C., Meilinger, T., Vrachliotis, G., Broesamle, M., Knauff, M.: Finding the Way Inside: Linking Architectural Design Analysis and Cognitive Processes. In: Freksa, C., Knauff, M., Krieg-Brückner, B., Nebel, B., Barkowsky, T. (eds.) Spatial Cognition IV. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 3343, pp. 1–23. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Janzen, G., Herrmann, T., Katz, S., Schweizer, K.: Oblique Angled Intersections and Barriers: Navigating through a Virtual Maze. In: Habel, C., Brauer, W., Freksa, C., Wender, K.F. (eds.) Spatial Cognition II. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 1849, pp. 277–295. Springer, Heidelberg (2000)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M.: The body in the mind. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Il (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson-Laird, P.: Mental Models: Towards a Cognitive Science of Language, Inference, and Consciousness. Cambrige University Press, Cambridge (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Klippel, A.: Wayfinding choremes: Conceptualizing wayfinding and route direction elements. Ph.D. thesis, Universität Bremen (2003), http://www.uni-bremen.de

  • Kuipers, B., Tecuci, D., Stankiewicz, B.: The skeleton in the cognitive map: a computational and empirical exploration. Environment and Behavior 35(1), 80–106 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landau, B., Jackendoff, R.: ’What’ and ’where’ in spatial language and cognition. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 16, 217–238 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, S.C.: Space in language and cognition: explorations in cognitive diversity. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2003)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, S.C., Kita, S., Haun, D.B.M., Rasch, B.H.: Returning the tables: language affects spatial reasoning. Cognition 84, 155–188 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, P., Gleitman, L.: Turning the tables: language and spatial reasoning. Cognition 83(3), 265–294 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linde, C., Labov, W.: Spatial networks as a site for the study of language and thought. Language 50(4), 924–939 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovelace, K.L., Hegarty, M., Montello, D.R.: Elements of Good Route Directions in Familiar and Unfamiliar Environments. In: Freksa, C., Mark, D.M. (eds.) COSIT 1999. LNCS, vol. 1661, pp. 65–82. Springer, Heidelberg (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, K.: The Image of the City. MIT Press, Cambridge (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainwaring, S.D., Tversky, B., Ohgishi, M., Schiano, D.J.: Descriptions of simple spatial scenes in English and Japanese. Spatial Cognition and Computation 3(1), 3–42 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munnich, E., Landau, B., Dosher, B.A.: Spatial language and spatial representation: a cross-linguistic comparison. Cognition 81(3), 171–208 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill, M.J.: Effects of familiarity and plan complexity on wayfinding in simulated buildings. Journal of Environmental Psychology 12, 319–327 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, M.J., Garrod, S.: Towards a mechanistic psychology of dialogue. Behavioural and Brain Sciences 27(2), 169–190 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieser, H.: Repräsentations-Metonymie, Perspektive und Koordination in aufgabenorientierten Dialogen. In: Umbach, C., Grabski, M., Hoernig, R. (eds.) Perspektive in Sprache und Raum, Studien zur Kognitionswissenschaft, pp. 1–26. Deutscher Universitätsverlag, Wiesbaden (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosch, E., Lloyds, B.: Cognition and categorization. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rüetschi, U.J., Timpf, S.: Using Image Schemata to Represent Meaningful Spatial Configurations. In: Meersman, R., Tari, Z., Herrero, P. (eds.) On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2005: OTM 2005 Workshops. LNCS, vol. 3762, pp. 1047–1055. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sacks, H., Schegloff, E., Jefferson, G.: A Simplest Systematics for the Organization of Turn-taking for Conversation. Language 50, 696–735 (1974)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schober, M., Brennan, S.: Processes of interactive spoken discourse: The role of the partner. In: Graesser, A., Gernsbacher, M., Goldman, S. (eds.) Handbook of Discourse Processes, pp. 123–164. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schober, M.F.: Spatial perspective taking in conversation. Cognition 47, 1–24 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, E., Leiser, D.: Levels of spatial knowledge and urban travel modeling. Geographical Analysis 20, 140–155 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talmy, L.: Towards a cognitive semantics. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tappe, H.: Perspektivenwahl in Beschreibungen dynamischer und statischer Wegeskizzen. In: Habel, C., von Stutterheim, C. (eds.) Räumliche Konzepte und sprachliche Strukturen, Niemeyer, pp. 69–95 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, H., Tversky, B.: Spatial mental models derived from survey and route descriptions. Journal of Memory and Language 31, 261–292 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, H., Tversky, B.: Perspective in spatial descriptions. Journal of Memory and Language 35, 371–391 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tenbrink, T.: Conveying spatial information in linguistic human-robot interaction. In: DiaBruck, 7th Workshop on the Semantics and Pragmatics of Dialogue, Proceedings, September 4-6, pp. 207–208 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenbrink, T.: Space, time, and the use of language: An investigation of relationships. Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenbrink, T., Fischer, K., Moratz, R.: Spatial Strategies in Linguistic Human-Robot Communication. In: Freksa, C. (ed.) KI-Themenheft 4/02 Spatial Cognition, pp. 19–23. arenDTaP Verlag (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Timpf, S., Kuhn, W.: Granularity Transformations in Wayfinding. In: Freksa, C., Brauer, W., Habel, C., Wender, K.F. (eds.) Spatial Cognition III. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2685, pp. 77–88. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tversky, B.: Spatial Perspective in Descriptions. In: Bloom, P., Peterson, M., Nadel, L., Garrett, M. (eds.) Language and Space, pp. 109–169. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tversky, B., Franklin, N., Taylor, H.A., Bryant, D.J.: Spatial Mental Models from Descriptions. JASIS 45(9), 656–668 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Zee, E., Slack, J.: Representing direction in language and space. In: Explorations in language and space, Oxford University Press, Oxford (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Visser, W., Wolff, M.: A cognitive approach to spatial discourse production: Combining manual and automatic analyses of route descriptions. In: Proceedings of EuroCogSci 2003: The European Cognitive Science Conference, Osnabrueck, Germany, September 10-13, pp. 355–360 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, S., Long, P.: Cognition meets Le Corbusier - Cognitive principles of architectural design. In: Freksa, C., Brauer, W., Habel, C., Wender, K.F. (eds.) Spatial Cognition III. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 2685, pp. 112–126. Springer, Heidelberg (2003)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J.M., Ehbauer, N., Mallot, H.A.: Path planning and optimization in the traveling salesman problem (submitted)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J.M., Franz, G.: Isovist analysis captures properties of space relevant for locomotion and experience (under revision)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J.M., Mallot, H.A.: Fine-to-Coarse Route Planning and Navigation in Regionalized Environments. Spatial Cognition and Computation 3(4), 331–358 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J.M., Schnee, A., Mallot, H.A.: Use and Interaction of Navigation Strategies in Regionalized Environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology 24(4), 475–493 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J.M., Franz, G.: Isovists as a means to predict spatial experience and behavior. In: Freksa, C., Knauff, M., Krieg-Brückner, B., Nebel, B., Barkowsky, T. (eds.) Spatial Cognition IV. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 3343, pp. 42–57. Springer, Berlin, Germany (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwaan, R.A., Radvansky, G.A.: Situation Models in Language Comprehension and Memory. Psychological Bulletin 123(2), 162–185 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Tenbrink, T., Wiener, J.M. (2007). Wayfinding Strategies in Behavior and Language: A Symmetric and Interdisciplinary Approach to Cognitive Processes. In: Barkowsky, T., Knauff, M., Ligozat, G., Montello, D.R. (eds) Spatial Cognition V Reasoning, Action, Interaction. Spatial Cognition 2006. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 4387. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75666-8_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75666-8_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-75665-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-75666-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics