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Spatial memory

GPS use and Spatial Cognition

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has revolutionized the way we navigate and explore our environment. GPS has become an essential tool in our daily lives, providing real-time information about our location and the directions we need to take to reach our destination. However, some researchers have raised concerns about the impact of GPS use on our spatial learning and memory. Spatial learning refers to our ability to perceive, remember, and use spatial information acquired in the environment. Memory, on the other hand, involves our ability to store and retrieve information about the world around us. Both spatial learning and memory are crucial for our ability to navigate and explore our environment effectively. The use of GPS has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on spatial learning and memory. It can lead to a decline in those skills over time. Research has shown that people who rely on GPS for navigation are less likely to develop and use mental maps and have a harder time remembering details about the environment . Furthermore, GPS users tend to rely more on the technology than on their own cognitive abilities, leading to a loss of confidence in their navigational skills .

However, this loss in confidence in one’s own skills is counteracted by the knowledge that getting lost is no longer a problem, thanks to the GPS on our phones, which in turn restores our confidence in our wayfinding ability. Some beneficial outcomes attributed to GPS assistance are more efficient and accurate navigation, coupled with a significant reduction in the cognitive load required for navigation. When people use GPS devices, they do not have to worry about remembering the route, paying attention to landmarks, or constantly checking maps. This can free up cognitive resources for other tasks, leading to better performance on cognitive tasks and higher levels of concentration and focus. This allows to free up cognitive resources to facilitate information processing and learning.

To compensate for the issues that arise from GPS use, there has been substantial research that proposes alternative forms of GPS navigation or additions to the existing ones that have been shown to enhance spatial learning. A study from 2021 implemented a 3D spatial audio system similar to an auditory compass, where users are directed towards their destination without explicit directions. Rather than being led passively through verbal directions, users are encouraged to take an active role in their own spatial navigation. This led to more accurate cognitive maps of space, an improvement which was demonstrated when the participants of the study drew precise maps after performing a scavenger hunt task. Another study suggested highlighting local features like landmarks, along the route and at decision points; or highlighting structural features that provide global orientation (not the details concerning the route taken by the study’s participants, but landmarks of the larger area surrounding it). The study showed that accentuating local features in wayfinding maps (GPS) supports the acquisition of route knowledge, which was measured with a pointing and a global feature recall task.

Also, in Blind and visually impaired people the use of GPS make advantage in spatial learning and memory. Blind and visually impaired people often need to obtain information about locations ahead of time and practice along a specific route with the help of a relative, friend or specialized instructor before traveling the route to said destination independently. GPS comes in by offering helpful information therefore allowing them to become more independent and confident with their travel to a specific destination.

Another research paper claims that a GPS can be used for patients suffering from dementia. In a study done in 2014, drivers with mild to very mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) were administered 3 driving trials with different GPS settings (normal, visual-only and audio-only). The participants were required to perform a variety of driving tasks on a driving simulator following the GPS instructions. This study has found that using single, simple auditory instructions with the absence of the visual output of the GPS could potentially help people with mild AD to improve their driving ability and reach their destination, therefore confirming that GPS does reduce cognitive loads.

Since GPS would help the patients with wayfinding, it would allow them to stay safe in public, reclaim their sense of self-sufficiency, and discourage “wandering” Overall, evidence is strongest about the use of GPS technologies for averting harm and promoting wellbeing.

The impact of GPS use on spatial learning and memory is not yet fully understood, and further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of GPS use on these cognitive processes. However, it is clear that GPS technology has both benefits and drawbacks, and users should be aware of the potential impact of their reliance on GPS. In conclusion, GPS technology has revolutionized the way we navigate and explore our environment, but its impact on our spatial learning and memory is still a subject of debate. While GPS can help people navigate more efficiently, confidently, and aid populations who would otherwise be significantly hindered; its use may lead to a decline in spatial cognitive skills over time. Therefore, it is essential for users to balance the benefits and drawbacks of GPS use and to be aware of its potential impact on their cognitive abilities.