Human Variability in Spatial Orientation and Navigation
Giuseppe Iaria
University of Calgary

The ability to orient in spatial surroundings is a fundamental cognitive process for daily-life functioning. This important behaviour allows individuals to reach any given location from anywhere within the environment. Theoretically. Individuals, in fact, vary widely in their ability to become familiar with the surrounding and find their way around, with some individuals getting lost even in very familiar environments. In this lecture, I will provide evidence of some behavioural and neurological mechanisms that may explain part of the human variability in spatial orientation skills. In addition, I will present data collected in a clinical population that may be insightful for investigating the genetic factors underlying topographical orientation and navigation in humans.