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International Conference on Spatial Information Theory

COSIT 2009: Spatial Information Theory pp 1–17Cite as

A Conceptual Model of the Cognitive Processing of Environmental Distance Information

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 5756))

Abstract

I review theories and research on the cognitive processing of environmental distance information by humans, particularly that acquired via direct experience in the environment. The cognitive processes I consider for acquiring and thinking about environmental distance information include working-memory, nonmediated, hybrid, and simple-retrieval processes. Based on my review of the research literature, and additional considerations about the sources of distance information and the situations in which it is used, I propose an integrative conceptual model to explain the cognitive processing of distance information that takes account of the plurality of possible processes and information sources, and describes conditions under which particular processes and sources are likely to operate. The mechanism of summing vista distances is identified as widely important in situations with good visual access to the environment. Heuristics based on time, effort, or other information are likely to play their most important role when sensory access is restricted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    Daniel R. Montello

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  1. Daniel R. Montello
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Iowa, 316 Jessup Hall, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Kathleen Stewart Hornsby

  2. Naval Academy Research Institute, 29240, Brest Naval, France

    Christophe Claramunt

  3. Groupe Cognition Humaine, LIMSI-CNRS, Université de Paris-Sud, 91403, Orsay, France

    Michel Denis

  4. LIMSI-CNRS, Université de Paris-Sud, 91403, Orsay, France

    Gérard Ligozat

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Montello, D.R. (2009). A Conceptual Model of the Cognitive Processing of Environmental Distance Information. In: Hornsby, K.S., Claramunt, C., Denis, M., Ligozat, G. (eds) Spatial Information Theory. COSIT 2009. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 5756. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03832-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03832-7_1

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