Abstract
The processes in the brain which enable humans to navigate independently through complex environments have been related to functionally identified neural structures involved in long-term memory representation. This study investigates the role of short-term memory representation, activated through brief exposure to the spatial layout of an unfamiliar complex environment. The effects of short-term memory processes on navigation performances of men and women were investigated. After two minutes of either 2D map or direct viewing (learning phase), individuals navigated from memory in Google Street View (test phase). Subjective ratings of psychological stress were recorded after testing. Satisfactory, and significantly better navigation performances compared with 2D map exposure, were found for both men and women after direct viewing. A significant effect of the sex factor was observed after 2D map exposure, where women produced the weakest performances, and the highest psychological stress ratings.We conclude that short-term memory representations of acomplex and novel spatial layout enable successful navigation, depending on the type of visual information made available through prior exposure. Direct visual experience is encoded more effectively by the brain than abstract map experience, especially by women, under the conditions investigated here.