Human Spatial Cognition and Experience

Toru Ishikawa is a Professor in the Department of Information Networking for Innovation and Design (INIAD) at Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan. He has a PhD in geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is an associate member of the Science Council of Japan. He specializes in cognitive-behavioral geography, geographic information science, and urban residential environments and planning. His research interests include cognitive maps and mapping, wayfinding and navigation, spatial thinking in geoscience, and geospatial awareness and technology.

• Preface List of Figures List of Tables 1. Why Is Spatial Special? 2. Brief History of Research into Spatial Cognition 3. Maps in the Head 4. The Structure of Cognitive Maps 5. The Acquisition of Cognitive Maps 6. Spatial Abilities and Individual Differences 7. Communicating Information about Space 8. Development of Spatial Cognition in Children 9. Feelings about Space 10. Space, Information, and Society References Index

"This book gives us a readable and comprehensive overview of a fast-developing interdisciplinary field. An excellent introduction for beginners, a welcome refresher for working scientists."—Nora S. Newcombe, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and James H. Glackin Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Temple University, USA"This book is a timely addition to the literature on spatial and environmental cognition and experience. In this era of nearly unbridled enthusiasm for what neuroscience can reveal, Toru’s book reminds us that mind and behavior are not just in the brain, but in the brain and nervous system in the body in the physical and sociocultural world."—Daniel R. Montello, Professor of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA"Toru Ishikawa presents an excellently written and concise account of research done on human spatial cognition. The book covers a full range of topics including motivation and history through methodological issues, empirical results to applications, and societal implications. A great introduction to the fascinating field of spatial cognition. The book should be read by everyone interested to understand how we know where we are."—Christian Freksa, Professor for informatics and director of the Bremen Spatial Cognition Center, University of Bremen, Germany