Learning a map of environment: The role of visuo-spatial abilities in young and older adults

Abstract

The present study examines age-related differences between young and older adults in spatial mental representation derived from learning a realistic city map. A sample of 30 young (20-30-years) and 30 older (60-72 years) adults learned a simplified map of a city; afterwards participants performed map-drawing and pointing-aligned and counter-aligned tasks. Tasks measuring visuo-spatial abilities were also administered to explore their relationship with map learning. Results showed an age-related impairment in older adults in both map tasks, as well as in visuo-spatial ones. Furthermore, performance on counter-aligned pointing was poorer than on aligned pointing in young and older adults, and its relationship with visuo-spatial abilities changed as a function of age group: The performance of counter-aligned pointing in older adults was related to all visuo-spatial abilities, and in young adults with perspective-taking measures only. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.