Spatial cognition in a navigation task: effects of initial knowledge of an environment and spatial abilities on route description

Motivation -- The applied aim of this study is to define guidelines that have to be taken into account for designing a dialogic guiding system for pedestrians. Towards this end, our main objective is to define what information is exchanged during a Human-Human telephonic interaction. During this interaction, a concurrent navigation in a large scale environment is performed by one member of the dyad. The content of route descriptions produced by guides is analysed with regard to (1) the initial representation of the person to guide based on his/her initial level of knowledge of the route environment and (2) the guides' spatial abilities. Research Approach -- An experimental approach was used, in which 48 employees of an international telecommunications group were asked to guide a person on a defined route. Participants' spatial abilities were measured. Findings/Design -- The results we obtain show that the interlocutor's initial representation (based on his/her initial level of knowledge of the environment to be explored) is important in route production. Contrary to previous findings in monologue experimental situations, this is not the case of the guides' spatial abilities. Research limitations/Implications -- Although the interaction was realistic in our study, the dyads were not because the guided was always the same for every guide (i.e. he was a confederate). Originality -- This study uses a more ecological approach compared to the majority in this area. It is based on a realistic interaction situation with concurrent navigation whereas former studies were mainly based on monologues.