Spatial reorientation in young children: an examination of the use of geometric and featural cues

Pike, Andrea E. (2004) Spatial reorientation in young children: an examination of the use of geometric and featural cues. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

In past experiments examining reorientation, young children may not have been given sufficient time to reorient and take all information in their environments into account in order to search accurately. In past studies, participants have begun searching for hidden objects immediately following the disorientation procedure. It was predicted that imposing a delay of 10 s between the time when participants stopped turning and began searching would increase search accuracy. Thirty children, aged 36- 56 months, participated in the current study. Results suggest that allowing extra time between disorientation and searching leads to increased search accuracy. It is proposed that providing children with a small amount of extra time allows them to fully regain their sense of heading and direction. In turn, they are better able to make use of all the information in their environments to reorient and locate a hidden target.

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