Implicit versus explicit processing of visual, olfactory, and multimodal landmark information in human wayfinding.

ABSTRACT: Despite the predominant focus on visual perception in most studies, the role of humans' sense of smell in navigation has often been neglected. Recent research, however, could show that humans are indeed able to use their sense of smell for orientation, particularly when processed implicitly. In this study, we investigate whether implicit perception of olfactory landmarks enhanced wayfinding performance compared to explicit perception. Fifty-two people completed a wayfinding and a recognition task in a virtual maze at two times of testing 1 month apart. Participants either received olfactory, visual, or both cues at the intersections. Wayfinding performance was better for olfactory landmarks, which were not correctly remembered in the recognition task. In contrast, wayfinding performance wa

SUBMITTER: Schwarz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10684750 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature