Switching points of view in spatial mental models

Mem Cognit. 1992 Sep;20(5):507-18. doi: 10.3758/bf03199583.

Abstract

In six experiments, subjects read narratives describing varying spatial scenes with more than one point of view. They were probed with questions about objects located in six directions from each character's point of view. Subjects' response times were consistent with a one place-one perspective rule. They seemed to form separate mental models for separate places and to take a character's perspective when there was only one relevant character in a scene, but they seemed to take a neutral perspective when there was more than one probed point of view, rather than switch perspectives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Mental Processes
  • Orientation
  • Research Design
  • Space Perception*
  • Verbal Learning
  • Visual Perception