Principles and practices for communicating route knowledge.

A series of experiments was conducted to examine the effect of several principle-based practices hypothesized as being important in communicating route knowledge. Results indicated that remembering and following route directions were facilitated by the practice of (a) presenting the directions in correct temporal–spatial order, consistent with the principle of natural order, (b) concentrating information in statements concerned with choice points, consistent with the principle of referential determinacy, and, to some extent, (c) using spatial designations with which most listeners are facile, consistent with the principle of mutual knowledge. In all studies, women had more difficulty than men in following the route from verbal directions. Possible avenues for explaining this sex-related difference are suggested. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]