Exploring differences of spatial visual attention and spatial confidence during spatial orientation in an unfamiliar environment between poor and good sense of direction

Sense of direction is vital for spatial orientation, particularly in an unfamiliar environment, where individuals with varying sense of direction exhibit notable differences in spatial performance. However, the visual attention mechanisms and psychological representations that underlie these differences remain insufficiently understood in existing research. In this study, we conducted an empirical outdoor spatial orientation experiment with individuals having a poor or good sense of direction, focusing on two aspects: spatial visual attention and spatial confidence. The results revealed that, compared with individuals with a good sense of direction, those with a poor sense of direction adopted a more cautious and deliberate visual search strategy. They also demonstrated less efficient visual information processing, and uneven allocation of spatial visual attention. Additionally, their spatial confidence was lower. These findings provide valuable insights into the spatial cognitive traits of individuals with varying sense of direction during spatial orientation.