1. What have we learned from research on the "geometric module"?
- Author
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Newcombe, Nora S.
- Subjects
- *
SPATIAL behavior , *ECOLOGICAL niche , *COGNITION - Abstract
This article is an overview of the research and controversy initiated by Cheng's (Cognition, 23(2), 149-178, 1986) article hypothesizing a purely geometric module in spatial representation. Hundreds of experiments later, we know much more about spatial behavior across a very wide array of species, ages, and kinds of conditions, but there is still no consensus model of the phenomena. I argue for an adaptive combination approach that entails several principles: (1) a focus on ecological niches and the spatial information they offer; (2) an approach to development that is experience-expectant: (3) continued plasticity as environmental conditions change; (4) language as one of many cognitive tools that can support spatial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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