ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the development of space perception as organized with respect to various frames of reference. It suggests that these reference systems change with development as the child is confronted with different tasks. The chapter examines two aspects of the functioning of reference systems that may show developmental trends: flexibility in the use of reference systems and the coordination of reference systems. It suggests that a relationship between the frames of reference used in maintaining orientation and the type of mental representations one has of space. The most systematic investigation of the frames of reference used in identification of diagonals and rectilinear lines was described by Olson and Boswell. They considered three reference systems that might be relevant to identification of lines on the basis of up-down orientation: the orientation of the head, the immediate visual surround and the alignment of the stimuli on the stimulus card.