1. Multiple systems of spatial memory: their role in reasoning and action Marios N. Avraamides, University of Cyprus ERC starting grant OSSMA

2. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental 2 Why study spatial reasoning? It takes place commonly in our everyday life e.g., planning a route ahead of travelling, giving and receiving route instructions It has several practical implications e.g., design of navigation systems, search and rescue robots, architectural Design

3. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental on-line vs. off-line spatial reasoning In some cases we retrieve and process spatial relations in the space that surrounds us e.g., moving in the dark during an electricity black-out In other cases we recall spatial information from distal environments e.g., describing the route from my office to downtown Nicosia 3 Goal of present project: to examine the cognitive processes involved in constructing and in using spatial memories about immediate and non-immediate environments

4. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental Methodology Behavioural Experiments Participants first study a spatial layout and then localize objects from memory Popular task: imagine standing at x facing y, point to z Measures: accuracy, response time 4 Variables: learning modality, response modality, structure of space, individual differences

5. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental Tools – Immersive Virtual Reality 5 VR enables us examine one by one the factors that may influence the way spatial memories are formed and used It is very convenient for conducting experiments Drawback: sometimes experiments are not ecologically valid

6. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental 6 ERC starting grant It has enabled us to upgrade our facilities We have recruited expert scientists and technical staff We have attracted additional local funding We have established new international collaborations

7. http://www.psychol.ucy.ac.cy/experimental Thank you! 7