Perceptions and memory of places are linked together because of the form of space, individual differences in how memories are kept and emotional feelings about space. In this research we investigate how environmental characteristics influence our memory of places, from urban to wildland. We adapt theoretical design approaches, novel technology (VR) and rigorous psychological methods to evaluate how planners and designers influence how individuals remember places. As this reserach unfolds we also contribute to psychological constructs in environmental psychology and spatial navigation.
Publications
- Assessing Collective Spatial Situational Awareness in Real-Time Using Virtual Environments. Proceedings of Collective Spatial Cognition. April 2019. Santa Barbara, CA.
- Bruns, C. R., & Chamberlain, B. C. (2019). The influence of landmarks and urban form on cognitive maps using virtual reality. Landscape and Urban Planning, 189, 296-306.
Presentations
- Assessing Collective Spatial Situational Awareness in Real-Time Using Virtual Environments. Proceedings of Collective Spatial Cognition. Santa Barbara, CA. April 2019.
- Landmark Configuration Planning: the influence on navigation and wayfinding. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Sacramento, CA. March 2019.
- An Evaluation and Comparison of Spatial Memory Assessments. 59th Annual Meeting of Psychonomics, New Orleans, November 15-18 2018.
- Cue the space: the role of landmarks and navigational aids in spatial memory and recall. 7th Internaitonal Conference on Spatial Cognition, Rome, Italy. September 2018.
- Designing Spaces in a World of GPS, ASLA Central States, Kansas City. April 2018. (Invited session presentation).
- Investigating the Influence of Wayfinding Interventions of Spatial Memory. K-State Cognitive Science Open Seminar March 2017. (Invited presentation).
Guest Presentations
- University of Texas, Austin, Friday Lunch Forum, "Envisioning Place. Knowing Space." Guest Speaker during Big 12 Faculty Fellowship. 2016.
Funding
- US Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences ($800,000)
- US Department of Defence, US Army Research Institute Foundational Sciences, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences ($224,000)