The effects of culture on spontaneous use of spatial navigation strategies

Cultural neuroscience is based on the theory that different values and behavioral practices across cultures influence information processing as well as neural structures. More specifically, it has been proposed that individualistic Westerners have an increased sensitivity to process central objects; while interdependent East Asians based on their collectivist culture have a tendency to process information holistically with attention to contextual cues. In India, urbanization and economic growth has led to the coexistence of collectivist and individualistic framework. The purpose of the proposed study is to explain the influence of cultural orientation on the spontaneous use of spatial navigation strategies between Indian and North American participants. In addition, the proposed study aims to investigate whether the differences across cultures in their reliance on a particular type of spatial navigation strategy is magnified with age. A collectivist-individualist orientation scale will be utilized to determine the cultural orientation of all participants.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lixia Yang

Student:

Khushi Patel

Partner:

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

University:

Ryerson University

Program:

Globalink Research Award