Spatial Cognition, Environmental Perception, & the Future of Modern Technology
By: Nikolas Smilovsky, GISP
Special Thanks to Chris Lukinbeal, GCU, & BPG Designs.
The presentation is in association with the research supported by the National Science Foundation Human and Social Dynamics program under Award No. SES-0433947, and Research Experience for Undergraduates Award No. SES-0506894. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or reconditions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
A PhD Dissertation & Future Research, January 2016
Presentation Outline:
What is spatial cognition?
What is environmental perception?
The background research & future plans.
How will our cognitive mapping perceptions be influenced by advancing technology?
Audience Response Survey.
PollEv.com/nikolassmilo937
https://www.polleverywhere.com
Spatial Cognition:
“is concerned with the acquisition, organization,
utilization, and revision of knowledge about spatial
environments.” (Wikipedia)
“A geographical information system is a construct
designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze,
manage, and present all types of spatial or
geographical data.” (Wikipedia) https://images.google.com
Spatial Cognition: Spatial Cognition is often referred to as Mind Mapping, Mental
Mapping, Sketch Maps, and Cognitive Mapping
Cognitive distance = Basis of arrangement, activity space
Designative vs Appraisive
Designative - Cognitive organization of space, how we know &
understand the environment around us
Appraisive – How we experience and make sense of the world
around us, personal preference
(Lynch, 1960)
Spatial Cognition: Waldo R. Tobler (born 1930)
American-Swiss Geographer & Cartographer
“First Law of Geography”
Everything is related to everything else in physical
space, but near things are more related to each
other than objects further apart
(Klippel, Hardisty, & Li, 2011) https://www.Wikipedia.com
Spatial Cognition:
What is the biology behind spatial cognition?
Spatial learning, spatial cognition, & action planning
(behavior) is performed by the interplay between the
hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the
human brain. (Martinet, Sheynikhovich, Benchenane,
& Arleo, 2011)
https://emotiv.com/epoc.php
Environmental Perception:
“The underlying rationale for environmental perception and behavioral research
lies in the assertion that understanding the geography of space and place
requires knowledge of the way in which people experience, perceive, organize,
and ascribe meaning to information about the environment, as well as how
people act upon this information. Often this research seeks to identify general
patterns of perceptions, cognition, and action common to all humans, or to
members of particular social groups.” (Aitken, Cutter, Foote, & Sell, 1989)
Environmental Perception:
The study of how the brain perceives the environment… spatially…
Influencers of EP – auditory perception, depth perception, visual perception
very unsafe
very safe
Where do you feel safe?
Where do you spend your time?
What is your activity space?
(Lopez & Lukinbeal, 2010)
Environmental Perception:
Garfield Police Officer Response
Garfield Resident Response
(Lopez & Lukinbeal, 2010)
Environmental Perception:
What would you define as your personal neighborhood?
Would your best friend agree with you?
Is their a systematic way to define a geographic neighborhood?
Is the neighborhood based on environmental perception?
The Research:
I. A Collaborative Effort
II. The NSF Grant
I. The Dissertation Project
The presentation is in association with the research supported by the National Science Foundation Human and Social Dynamics program under Award No. SES-0433947, and Research Experience for Undergraduates Award No. SES-0506894. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or reconditions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
The Research:Dissertation Goals:
To codify all data and aggregate it for both statistical analysis and spatial analysis Survey data, cognitive maps, & background GIS data
To statistically test individual variables that contain significance in regards to spatial cognition & environmental perception Gender, age, education, location, & activity space
To create cognitive-psychological profiles based on statistical findings
To lead the discussion on the future of spatial cognition and how technology will influence it
https://images.google.com
The Research:
The data consists of three parts, from three sample areas
Survey Collection
Demographics (Census 2000)
Cognitive “Mental” Maps
Mexicans
(Lopez & Lukinbeal, 2010)
The Research:Garfield, Phoenix – Sample 1
Total Population = 9,935
Surveys Collected = 388https://maps.google.com
The Research:Pilsen, Chicago – Sample 2
Total Population = 33,783
Surveys Collected = 400https://maps.google.com
The Research:Little Havana, Miami – Sample 3
Total Population = 54,646
Surveys Collected = 400https://maps.google.com
Cognitive Mapping and the Effect of Technology: Moore’s Law states that over the history of computers that integrated circuits and transistors
double approximately every two years. - Meaning that computing capacity is growing at an
extremely fast rate!
www.images.google.com
Cognitive Mapping and the Effect of Technology: How does the brain store, process, and code spatial environments that are virtual or augmented?
https://images.google.com , https://www.safe.com , www.https://emotiv.com/epoc.php
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Spatial Cognition, Environmental Perception, & the Future of Modern Technology
Audience Online Survey
PollEv.com/nikolassmilo937
To Follow the Project Connect with me on LinkedIn
A PhD Dissertation & Future Research, January 2016
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-smilovsky-gisp-a831511b