The Role of Intramaze Stimuli in Spatial Problem Solving

Abstract

O’Keefe and Nadel (1978) proposed a neuropsychological mechanism by which environmental stimuli could be encoded into an “information structure” (p.78) such that the distance and direction between those stimuli were specified. They referred to this mechanism and its ensuing cognitive representation as a cognitive map (O’Keefe and Nadel, 1978, see p. 2). According to this hypothesis, organisms establish cognitive representations that locate stimuli in space relative to each other and to the total environment. This hypothesis stressed the importance of topographical relationships among environmental stimuli in defining places (Suzuki, Augerinos, and Black, 1980) and ultimately guiding spatial behavior (i.e., behavior which requires that an animal move through space to achieve a goal). The role of distal stimuli in spatial behavior has been shown in a number of studies (Hebb, 1949. Stahl and Ellen, 1974; Sutherland and Dyck, 1984). Presumably distal stimuli allow animals to use mapping strategies as opposed to egocentric or other non-mapping mechanisms in solving spatial problems because perceptually, distal stimuli do not change their relative positions as the organism moves. O’Keefe and Nadel (1978, p. 73) note, however, that this property of distal stimuli precludes their use in distinguishing among places in the environment and have cautioned investigators not to disregard the role of proximal stimuli in spatial behavior. Indeed, O’Keefe argued that “spatially separated intramaze cues can also serve as place cues” (1979, p340).