HOW MANY SPATIAL SYSTEMS?
Reply to Velichkovsky on Bryant on Space

Abstract

Although I agree with Velichkovsky (1992) on the need for multiple systems, I resist conceptualizing them as levels in a hierarchy. This implies a directionality in human thought and behavior, or, at least, that nonadjacent systems can communicate only through intermediate levels. The distinction I have drawn between perceptual, language, action, representation, memory, and metacognitive systems is not meant to reflect any dimension of processing. This distinction is based on what I see as different basic functions within the domain of spatial cognition - functions that do not necessarily lend themselves to a linear organization. Moreover, these systems are free to interact directly with one another as necessary to accomplish particular tasks. There must certainly be quite a bit of reciprocal communication between perceptual, language, memory, and metacognitive systems.

Keywords

References

• Bryant, D. J. (1992). A Spatial Representation System in Humans. PSYCOLOQUY 3(16) space.1.
• Logan, G. D. (1991). Linguistic and Conceptual Control of Visual Spatial Attention. Paper presented at the 32nd annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society, San Francisco, CA.
• Velichkovsky, B. M. (1990) The Vertical Dimension of Mental Functioning. Psychological Research, 52, 282-289.
• Velichkovsky, B. M. (1992) The Spatial Representation System: A Single System of Perceptual-Verbal Access? PSYCOLOQUY 3(46) space.7.