One- to twenty-four-year memory for a school campus Recalled areas and objects

MAKIKO NAKA

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.37.91

One- to twenty-four-year memory for a school campus

Recalled areas and objects

MAKIKO NAKA

Author information

Keywords: memory for natural areas, environmental knowledge, retention intervals, constructionist view of spatial memory

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1995 Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 91-102

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.37.91

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Published: June 25, 1995 Received: November 17, 1993 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: September 03, 1994 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: ABSTRACT Details: Wrong : We investigated the effect of retention intervals and environmental knowledge on memory for areas in natural environment: A campus of junior high school. In Experiment 1, areas for the school building, playground, and swimming pool were estimated from pencil sketches drawn by 158 alumni who had graduated from the school a month to 24 years before. The number of recalled objects in each area, the level of certainty, and subjects' everyday-after-school activities during their school days were also assessed. Subjects who had participated in outdoor sports during their school days (outdoor subjects) were assumed to have better knowledge on the playground than those who had not (indoor subjects). The main findings were that not only retention intervals but also the campus knowledge affected recalled area of the playground. Moreover, positive correlation was found between areas and the number of recalled objects, suggesting that memory for an area was reconstructed in relation to the number of objects recalled in the area. Experiment 2 showed that recalling objects within an area increased estimation of the area. The constructionist view of spatial memory was supported. Memory transformation associated with areas was also discussed.
Right : We investigated the effect of retention intervals and environmental knowledge on memory for areas in natural environment: A campus of junior high school. In Experiment 1, areas for the school building, playground, and swimming pool were estimated from pencil sketches drawn by 158 alumni who had graduated from the school a month to 24 years before. The number of recalled objects in each area, the level of certainty, and subjects' everyday-after-school activities during their school days were also assessed. Subjects who had participated in outdoor sports during their school days (outdoor subjects) were assumed to have better knowledge on the playground than those who had not (indoor subjects). The main findings were that not only retention intervals but also the campus knowledge affected recalled area of the playground. Moreover, positive correlation was found between areas and the number of recalled objects, suggesting that memory for an area was reconstructed in relation to the number of objects recalled in the area, Experiment 2 showed that recalling objects within an area increased estimation of the area. The constructionist view of spatial memory was supported. Memory transformation associated with areas was also discussed.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Algom, D., Wolf, Y., & Bergman, B. 1985 Integration of stimulus dimensions in perception and memory: Composition rules and psychophysical relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 114, 451-471.
Bahrick, H. P. 1983 The cognitive map of a city: Fifty years of learning and memory. New York: Academic Press.
Baird, J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: I. Overview. Journal of Experimental Psychology. 108, 90-91.
Baird, J. C., Merrill, A. A., & Tannenbaum, J. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: II. A familiar environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 92-98.
Chew, E. I., & Richardson, J. T. E. 1980 The relationship between perceptual and memorial psychophysics. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 16, 25-26.
Evans, G. W. 1980 Environmental cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 259-287.
Kemp, S. 1988 Memorial psychophysics for visual area: the effect of retention interval. Memory & Cognition, 16, 431-436.
Kerst, S. M., & Howard, J. H., Jr. 1978 Memory psychophysics for visual area and length. Memory & Cognition, 6, 327-335.
Kerst, S. M., Howard, J. H., Jr., & Gugerty, L. J. 1987 Judgment accuracy in pair-distance estimation and map sketching. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 25, 185-188.
McNamara, T. P., Altarriba, J., Bendele, M., Johnson, S. C., & Clayton, K. N. 1989 Constraints on priming in spatial memory: Naturally learned versus experimentally learned environments. Memory & Cognition, 17, 444-453.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: III. A hypothetical environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 99-106.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1987 Semantic and spatial factors in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 15, 101-108.
Moyer, R. S., Bradley, D. R., Sorensen, M. H., Whiting, J. C., & Mansfield, D. P. 1978 Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size. Science, 200, 330-332.
Naka, M., & Minami, K. 1991 Memory psychophysics for areas: distortion in a natural memory of a school campus. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 73, 995-1003.
Okabayashi, H., & Glynn, S. M. 1984 Spatial cognition: Systematic distortions in cognitive maps. Journal of General Psychology, 111 (Second Half), 271-279.
Oshima, Y., & Okaichi, H. 1990 Effect of campus experience and sex difference on distance judgment in a campus environment. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 61, 170-176. (In Japanese with English summary)
Sadalla, E. K., & Staplin, L. J. 1980 An information storage model for distance cognition. Environment and Behavior, 12, 183-193.
Sherman, R. C., & Lim, K. M. 1991 Determinants of spatial priming in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 19, 283-292.
Stevens, A., & Coupe, P. 1978 Distortions in judged spatial relations. Cognitive Psychology, 10, 422-437.
Thorndyke, P. W. 1981 Distance estimation from cognitive maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 526-550.
Tversky, B. 1981 Distortions in memory for maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 407-433.
Tversky, B. 1992 Distortions in cognitive maps. Geoforum, 23, 131-138.

Right : Algom, D., Wolf, Y., & Bergman, B. 1985 Integration of stimulus dimensions in perception and memory: Composition rules and psychophysical relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 114, 451-471.
Bahrick, H. P. 1983 The cognitive map of a cdx: Fifty years of learning and memory. New York: Academic Press.
Baird. J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: I. Overview. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 108, 90-91.
Baird, J. C., Merrill, A. A., & Tannenbaum. J. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: 11. A familiar environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 92-98.
Chew, E. I., & Richardson, J. T. E. 1980 The relationship between perceptual and memorial psychophysics. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Socierv, 16, 25-26.
Evans, G. W. 1980 Environmental cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 259-287.
Kemp, S. 1988 Memorial psychophysics for visual area: the effect of retention interval. Memory & Cognition, 16, 431-436.
Kerst, S. M., & Howard, J. H., Jr. 1978 Memory psychophysics for visual area and length. Memory & Cognition, 6, 327-335.
Kerst, S. M., Howard, J. H., Jr., & Gugerty, L. J. 1987 Judgment accuracy in pair-distance estimation and map sketching. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 25, 185-188.
McNamara, T. P., Altarriba, J., Bendele, M., Johnson, S. C., & Clayton, K. N. 1989 Constraints on priming in spatial memory: Naturally learned versus experimentally learned environments. Memory &Cognition, 17, 444-453.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: HI. A hypothetical environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 99-106.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1987 Semantic and spatial factors in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 15, 101-108.
Moyer, R. S., Bradley, D. R., Sorensen, M. H., Whiting, J. C., & Mansfield, D. P. 1978 Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size. Science, 200, 330-332.
Naka, M., & Minami, K. 1991 Memory psychophysics for areas: distortion in a natural memory of a school campus. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 73, 995-1003.
Okahayashi, H., & Glynn, S. M. 1984 Spatial Cognition: Systematic distortions in cognitive maps. Journal of General Psychology, 111 (Second Half), 271-279.
Oshima, Y., & Okaichi, H. 1990 Effect of campus experience and sex difference on distance judgment in a campus environment. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 61, 170-176.(In Japanese with English summary)
Sadalla, E. K., & Staplin, L. J. 1980 An information storage model for distance cognition. Environment and Behavior, 12, 183-193.
Sherman, R. C., & Lim, K. M. 1991 Determinants of spatial priming in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 19, 283-292.
Stevens, A., & Coupe, P. 1978 Distortions in judged spatial relations. Cognitive Psychology, 10, 422-437.
Thorndyke, P. W. 1981 Distance estimation from cognitive maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 526-550.
Tversky, B. 1981 Distortions in memory for maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 407-433.
Tversky, B. 1992 Distortions in cognitive maps. Geoforum, 23, 131-138.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Algom, D., Wolf, Y., & Bergman, B. 1985 Integration of stimulus dimensions in perception and memory: Composition rules and psychophysical relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 114, 451-471.
Bahrick, H. P. 1983 The cognitive map of a cdx: Fifty years of learning and memory. New York: Academic Press.
Baird. J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: I. Overview. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 108, 90-91.
Baird, J. C., Merrill, A. A., & Tannenbaum. J. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: 11. A familiar environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 92-98.
Chew, E. I., & Richardson, J. T. E. 1980 The relationship between perceptual and memorial psychophysics. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Socierv, 16, 25-26.
Evans, G. W. 1980 Environmental cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 259-287.
Kemp, S. 1988 Memorial psychophysics for visual area: the effect of retention interval. Memory & Cognition, 16, 431-436.
Kerst, S. M., & Howard, J. H., Jr. 1978 Memory psychophysics for visual area and length. Memory & Cognition, 6, 327-335.
Kerst, S. M., Howard, J. H., Jr., & Gugerty, L. J. 1987 Judgment accuracy in pair-distance estimation and map sketching. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 25, 185-188.
McNamara, T. P., Altarriba, J., Bendele, M., Johnson, S. C., & Clayton, K. N. 1989 Constraints on priming in spatial memory: Naturally learned versus experimentally learned environments. Memory &Cognition, 17, 444-453.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: HI. A hypothetical environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 99-106.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1987 Semantic and spatial factors in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 15, 101-108.
Moyer, R. S., Bradley, D. R., Sorensen, M. H., Whiting, J. C., & Mansfield, D. P. 1978 Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size. Science, 200, 330-332.
Naka, M., & Minami, K. 1991 Memory psychophysics for areas: distortion in a natural memory of a school campus. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 73, 995-1003.
Okahayashi, H., & Glynn, S. M. 1984 Spatial Cognition: Systematic distortions in cognitive maps. Journal of General Psychology, 111 (Second Half), 271-279.
Oshima, Y., & Okaichi, H. 1990 Effect of campus experience and sex difference on distance judgment in a campus environment. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 61, 170-176.(In Japanese with English summary)
Sadalla, E. K., & Staplin, L. J. 1980 An information storage model for distance cognition. Environment and Behavior, 12, 183-193.
Sherman, R. C., & Lim, K. M. 1991 Determinants of spatial priming in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 19, 283-292.
Stevens, A., & Coupe, P. 1978 Distortions in judged spatial relations. Cognitive Psychology, 10, 422-437.
Thorndyke, P. W. 1981 Distance estimation from cognitive maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 526-550.
Tversky, B. 1981 Distortions in memory for maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 407-433.
Tversky, B. 1992 Distortions in cognitive maps. Geoforum, 23, 131-138.

Right : Algom, D., Wolf, Y., & Bergman, B. 1985 Integration of stimulus dimensions in perception and memory: Composition rules and psychophysical relations. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 114, 451-471.
Bahrick, H. P. 1983 The cognitive map of a city: Fifty years of learning and memory. New York: Academic Press.
Baird. J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: I. Overview. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 108, 90-91.
Baird, J. C., Merrill, A. A., & Tannenbaum. J. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: L. A familiar environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 92-98.
Chew, E. I., & Richardson, J. T. E. 1980 The relationship between perceptual and memorial psychophysics. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 16, 25-26.
Evans, G. W. 1980 Environmental cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 259-287.
Kemp, S. 1988 Memorial psychophysics for visual area: the effect of retention interval. Memory & Cognition, 16, 431-436.
Kerst, S. M., & Howard, J. H., Jr. 1978 Memory psychophysics for visual area and length. Memory & Cognition, 6, 327-335.
Kerst, S. M., Howard, J. H., Jr., & Gugerty, L. J. 1987 Judgment accuracy in pair-distance estimation and map sketching. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 25, 185-188.
McNamara, T. P., Altarriba, J., Bendele, M., Johnson, S. C., & Clayton, K. N. 1989 Constraints on priming in spatial memory: Naturally learned versus experimentally learned environments. Memory & Cognition, 17, 444-453.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1979 Studies of the cognitive representation of spatial relations: L. A hypothetical environment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 108, 99-106.
Merrill, A. A., & Baird, J. C. 1987 Semantic and spatial factors in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 15, 101-108.
Moyer, R. S., Bradley, D. R., Sorensen, M. H., Whiting, J. C., & Mansfield, D. P. 1978 Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size. Science, 200, 330-332.
Naka, M., & Minami, K. 1991 Memory psychophysics for areas: distortion in a natural memory of a school campus. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 73, 995-1003.
Okabayashi, H., & Glynn, S. M. 1984 Spatial cognition: Systematic distortions in cognitive maps. Journal of General Psychology, 111 (Second Half), 271-279.
Oshima, Y., & Okaichi, H. 1990 Effect of campus experience and sex difference on distance judgment in a campus environment. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 61, 170-176.(In Japanese with English summary)
Sadalla, E. K., & Staplin, L. J. 1980 An information storage model for distance cognition. Environment and Behavior, 12, 183-193.
Sherman, R. C., & Lim, K. M. 1991 Determinants of spatial priming in environmental memory. Memory & Cognition, 19, 283-292.
Stevens, A., & Coupe, P. 1978 Distortions in judged spatial relations. Cognitive Psychology, 10, 422-437.
Thorndyke, P. W. 1981 Distance estimation from cognitive maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 526-550.
Tversky, B. 1981 Distortions in memory for maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 407-433.
Tversky, B. 1992 Distortions in cognitive maps. Geoforum, 23, 131-138.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of retention intervals and environmental knowledge on memory for areas in natural environment: A campus of junior high school. In Experiment 1, areas for the school building, playground, and swimming pool were estimated from pencil sketches drawn by 158 alumni who had graduated from the school a month to 24 years before. The number of recalled objects in each area, the level of certainty, and subjects' everyday-after-school activities during their school days were also assessed. Subjects who had participated in outdoor sports during their school days (outdoor subjects) were assumed to have better knowledge on the playground than those who had not (indoor subjects). The main findings were that not only retention intervals but also the campus knowledge affected recalled area of the playground. Moreover, positive correlation was found between areas and the number of recalled objects, suggesting that memory for an area was reconstructed in relation to the number of objects recalled in the area, Experiment 2 showed that recalling objects within an area increased estimation of the area. The constructionist view of spatial memory was supported. Memory transformation associated with areas was also discussed.

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