A Correlation Analysis between the Sense of Direction and Spatial Visualization in the Wayfinding System of a Complex Environment

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an ongoing study that explores the potential relationship between visitors' sense of direction and spatial ability in the context of navigation experience on a university campus. A structured questionnaire and tests were administered to 57 visitors who were unfamiliar with the Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor campus. The findings suggest that visitors' sense of direction and spatial ability are not significantly correlated. Although previous research has demonstrated a positive correlation between spatial visualization ability and a sense of direction, the relationship between these two factors may be more complex. Effective wayfinding systems require the consideration of visitors' spatial ability, as well as other cognitive processes involved in wayfinding, such as attention, memory, and decision-making of visitors' spatial ability as well as other cognitive processes involved in wayfinding, such as attention, memory, and decision-making. The findings of this study arguably contribute to the discussion of navigation and wayfinding in a complex environment.