Map Orientation Impact on Spatial Acquisition During a Memory Task

Navigational systems are widely used to support wayfinding, yet concerns remain about their impact on spatial learning. This study examined how map rotation and working memory demands influence the extraction of spatial and nonspatial information from GPS style displays. In a mixed-design experiment, participants answered true/false questions about maps that were either visible or removed prior to responding. Results showed that memory load significantly impaired performance, particularly for spatial questions requiring mental rotation, even when accounting for individual differences in spatial ability. Notably, rotation reduced accuracy for spatial questions only when the map was no longer visible. These findings suggest that learning is most vulnerable when rotated spatial information must be maintained in working memory. Overall, the results highlight the cognitive demands of map-based navigation and have implications for the design of navigation systems that support spatial learning while minimizing cognitive load.