ABSTRACT
Abstract: Indoor spaces are fundamentally different from outdoor spaces in terms of the lack of vistas and restrictions on movement. Past literature on how individuals build indoor spatial knowledge over time through extended navigation routes is reviewed. New virtual reality studies on learning indoor spaces using either simple routes or complex routes under either motivated conditions or control conditions are presented. Participants in the motivated group were encouraged to perform the task as quickly as possible, while the control group was under no specific time constraints. Both groups were then tested on their ability to follow schematized instructions to explore unfamiliar areas in the virtual reality environment. Performance of the various spatial tasks across the motivated and control groups indicated that motivation improved performance in all but the most complex conditions. Results of the research suggest to those who design built environments and future wayfinding systems the importance of considering route complexity and knowledge and affect of the traveler.
