Integration and competition of spatial information using the multiple landmarks

Abstract

Landmark cues are especially important in spatial cognition, because the processing of landmarks is seen at an early stage of cognitive map formation. Previous studies have indicated that animals are capable of conducting goal searches using multiple landmarks. We reviewed studies on the competition and integration of spatial information regarding multiple landmarks. It was considered that knowledge about the processing of landmarks would lead to an understanding about the competition that occurs among multiple landmarks and about the spatial cognition leading to the development of multiple landmarks in cognitive maps. These issues have been independently investigated in the contexts of cognitive mapping and associative learning. It is concluded that cue competitions among multiple landmarks are acquisition processes and it is proposed that competition for cues precedes the integration process in cognitive map formation.