Effects of Field Dependence-Independence and Frame of Reference on Navigation Performance Using Multi-dimensional Electronic Maps

Abstract Most prior studies regarding navigational efficiency of electronic maps mainly investigated map characteristics such as the frame of references of maps (track-up maps vs. north-up maps) and the map dimensionality (2D maps vs. 3D maps). However, relatively little research has been found regarding how user characteristics, especially a user’s cognitive style, affect the effectiveness of navigational displays. The present study examined how individuals’ field dependence-independence, as an essential dimension of cognitive styles, affects user performance in orienting and navigating tasks with 2D and 3D electronic maps. The results suggested field-independent individuals had higher mental rotation ability than field-dependent individuals. The results also indicated significant interactions between field dependence-independence and frame of reference on both orienting and navigating tasks. Field-independent (FI) individuals responded more quickly and with higher accuracy compared to field-dependent (FD) individuals when using north-up maps, but no such differences was revealed when track-up maps were used. This implication could be further utilized to improve user-centered designs of navigation displays by considering individual differences.

[1]  J R Wilson,et al.  Navigation in hypertext through virtual environments. , 1993, Applied ergonomics.

[2]  Kun-Pyo Lee,et al.  A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of Users' Perceptions of a Webpage: With a Focus on the Cognitive Styles of Chinese, Koreans and Americans , 2008 .

[3]  D Waller,et al.  Individual differences in spatial learning from computer-simulated environments. , 2000, Journal of experimental psychology. Applied.

[4]  Christopher D. Wickens,et al.  Cognitive issues in virtual reality , 1995 .

[5]  Chin-Jung Chao,et al.  The Effects of Different Navigation Maps on Driving Performance , 2012, Perceptual and motor skills.

[6]  Karl F. MacDorman,et al.  THE INFLUENCE OF HOLISTIC AND ANALYTIC COGNITIVE STYLES ON ONLINE INFORMATION DESIGN: Toward a communication theory of cultural cognitive design , 2008 .

[7]  R. Shepard,et al.  Mental Images and Their Transformations , 1982 .

[8]  Kristian S Gould,et al.  Effects of navigation method on workload and performance in simulated high-speed ship navigation. , 2009, Applied ergonomics.

[9]  Carol Evans,et al.  Field independence: reviewing the evidence. , 2013, The British journal of educational psychology.

[10]  Chien Chou,et al.  The effect of navigation map types and cognitive styles on learners' performance in a computer-networked hypertext learning system , 1998 .

[11]  Christopher W. Allinson,et al.  Cognitive Style and the Theory and Practice of Individual and Collective Learning in Organizations , 1998 .

[12]  Christopher D. Wickens,et al.  When Users Want What's not Best for Them , 1995 .

[13]  Anthony J. Aretz.  The Design of Electronic Map Displays , 1991 .

[14]  Judi Repman,et al.  The Relationship of Learning, Behavior, and Cognitive Style in Hypermedia-Based Instruction: Implications for Design of HBI , 1995, Planning Continuing Professional Development.

[15]  S. Messick.  The nature of cognitive styles: Problems and promise in educational practice , 1984 .

[16]  L. van Breda,et al.  Perspective information in the cockpit as a target acquisition aid , 1998 .

[17]  Dovie M. Brown,et al.  Learning strategy patterns and instructional preferences of career and technical education students , 2006 .

[18]  M. Waring,et al.  Application of styles in educational instruction and assessment , 2011 .

[19]  Anthony J. Aretz,et al.  The Mental Rotation of Map Displays , 1992 .

[20]  Bryce Allen,et al.  Cognitive and task influences on Web searching behavior , 2002, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[21]  Mary Lou Padgett,et al.  Virtual Environments Standards and Terminology. , 2014 .

[22]  Jack M. Loomis,et al.  Using virtual environments to assess directional knowledge , 2004 .

[23]  Harvey S. Smallman,et al.  The Use of 2D and 3D Displays for Shape-Understanding versus Relative-Position Tasks , 2001, Hum. Factors.

[24]  C D Wickens,et al.  Electronic maps for terminal area navigation: effects of frame of reference and dimensionality. , 1996, The International journal of aviation psychology.

[25]  Li-fang Zhang,et al.  Field-dependence/independence: cognitive style or perceptual ability? - Validating against thinking styles and academic achievement , 2004 .

[26]  Haydee M. Cuevas,et al.  Performance Differences in a Navigation Task among Users Presented with a North-Up versus Track-Up Orientation Map Display , 2001 .

[27]  Earl Hunt,et al.  The Transfer of Spatial Knowledge in Virtual Environment Training , 1998, Presence.

[28]  Christopher D. Wickens,et al.  Two- and Three-Dimensional Displays for Aviation: A Theoretical and Empirical Comparison , 1993 .

[29]  Richard J. Koubek,et al.  An empirical evaluation of knowledge, cognitive style, and structure upon the performance of a hypertext task , 1994, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[30]  H. A. Witkin.  A Manual for the embedded figures tests , 1971 .

[31]  Christopher D. Wickens,et al.  Effects of elevation angle disparity, complexity, and feature type on relating out-of-cockpit field of view to an electronic cartographic map , 1999 .

[32]  Aymeric Guillot,et al.  Relationship Between Spatial Abilities, Mental Rotation and Functional Anatomy Learning , 2007, Advances in health sciences education : theory and practice.

[33]  Hesham Alomyan.  Individual Differences: Implications for Web-Based Learning Design , 2004 .

[34]  R. Riding,et al.  Cognitive Styles—an overview and integration , 1991 .

[35]  Tyler T Prevett,et al.  Exploring the dimensions of egocentricity in aircraft navigation displays , 1995 .

[36]  Paul Joseph Kroutter.  The influence of field dependence/independence, gender, and experience: On Navigational Behavior and Configurational Knowledge Acquisition in a Desktop Virtual Reality Environment , 2018 .

[37]  C. A. Moore,et al.  Field-Dependent and Field-Independent Cognitive Styles and Their Educational Implications , 1977 .