Mindcrafting:The Semantic Characteristics of Spontaneous Names Generated as an Aid to Cognitive Mapping and Navigation of Simulated Environments

Butler, James Odelle (2017) Mindcrafting:The Semantic Characteristics of Spontaneous Names Generated as an Aid to Cognitive Mapping and Navigation of Simulated Environments. Simulation & Gaming (S&G): An International Journal of Theory, Practice and Research, 48 (5). pp. 588-602.

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Abstract

Background. This study explores the extent to which names are formed to serve the development of mental maps to enable efficient navigation of unfamiliar terrain, conducted within a simulated landscape. Purpose. The primary aim of this study was to examine the semantic properties of spontaneous naming systems, and investigate their potential waypointing influence in personal route mapping. Method. Participants were tasked with the exploration of a closed-environment in MINECRAFT to find a designated goal, and return to the starting point in as short a time as possible, verbalizing their active thought process throughout. All instances of names were recorded. Results. The 12 participants created 61 names across 13 distinct sites. The environment had not been cultivated to predispose these points to be of interest, allowing a dedicated discussion of the factors that influence or are complemented by name-derived semantics. A strong negative correlation (−0.88) was found between the number of names generated and speed of task completion, which was calculated to be significant. Conclusion.Name development is shown to play a role in efficient cognitive mapping, with consistent semantic developmental patterns identifiable, formed equally around interpreted poetics of a space and the observable physical form.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Simulation & Gaming (S&G): An International Journal of Theory, Practice and Research
Additional Information:
The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Simulation and Gaming, 48 (5), 2017, © SAGE Publications Ltd, 2017 by SAGE Publications Ltd at the Simulation and Gaming page: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/SAG on SAGE Journals Online: http://journals.sagepub.com/
Subjects:
?? COGNITIVE MAPPINGMENTAL MAPSNAME GENERATIONPERSONAL ROUTE MAPPINGTASK COMPLETION SPEEDGAMING STUDIES ??
ID Code:
126094
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
26 Jun 2018 09:58
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Sep 2023 01:23