The thickness of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) predicts the self-prioritization effect (SPE) on the interaction between spatial reference frames and spatial domains

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that the preferential processing of near-space and egocentric representation is associated with the self-prioritization effect (SPE). However, relatively little is known concerning whether the SPE is superior to the representation of egocentric frames or near-space processing in the interaction between spatial reference frames and spatial domains. The present study adopted the variant of the shape-label matching task (i.e., color-label) to establish an SPE, combined with a spatial reference frame judgment task, to examine how the SPE leads to preferential processing of near-space or egocentric representations. Surface-based morphometry analysis was also adopted to extract the cortical thickness of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to examine whether it could predict differences in the SPE at the behavioral level. The results showed a significant SPE, manifested as the response of self-associated color being faster than that of stranger-associated color. Additionally, the SPE showed a preference for near-space processing, followed by egocentric representation. More importantly, the thickness of the vmPFC could predict the difference in the SPE on reference frames, particularly in the left frontal pole cortex and bilateral rostral anterior cingulate cortex. These findings indicated that the SPE showed a prior entry effect for information at the spatial level relative to the reference frame level, providing evidence to support the structural significance of the self-processing region. The present study also further clarified the priority in SPE processing and role of the SPE within the real spatial domain.

Critical Analysis of Piaget’s Theory and Educational Implications with Special Reference to Language Development

Jean Piaget’s contribution to understanding children’s first thought processes cannot be overstated. His theories on child cognitive development is based on their sensory development, egocentric representation, and language have been the prime focus in the paper. Nevertheless, his perspective and theories have been opposed and questioned by some scholars including Whorf (1956),Vygotsky (1962); Vygotsky (1978); Vygotsky (1987) and Baillargeon, Spelke, and Wasserman (1985). While this paper explores and expands on Piaget’s theories on the cognitive development of children, it also presents the perspectives of his other critics such as Repacholi and Gopnik (1997) and gives a broad overview of the research and theory of the cognitive development. Lastly, this paper offers strategies and suggestions in applying this knowledge in both the classroom and at home.

Do Advanced Spatial Strategies Depend on the Number of Flight Hours? The Case of Military Pilots

Background: Military pilots show advanced visuospatial skills. Previous studies demonstrate that they are better at mentally rotating a target, taking different perspectives, estimating distances and planning travel and have a topographic memory. Here, we compared navigational cognitive styles between military pilots and people without flight experience. Pilots were expected to be more survey-style users than nonpilots, showing more advanced navigational strategies. Method: A total of 106 military jet pilots from the Italian Air Force and 92 nonpilots from the general population matched for education with the pilots were enrolled to investigate group differences in navigational styles. The participants were asked to perform a reduced version of the Spatial Cognitive Style Test (SCST), consisting of six tasks that allow us to distinguish individuals in terms of landmark (people orient themselves by using a figurative memory for environmental objects), route (people use an egocentric representation of the space) and survey (people have a map-like representation of the space) user styles. Results: In line with our hypothesis, military pilots mainly adopt the survey style, whereas nonpilots mainly adopt the route style. In addition, pilots outperformed nonpilots in both the 3D Rotation Task and Map Description Task. Conclusions: Military flight expertise influences some aspects of spatial ability, leading to enhanced human navigation. However, it must be considered that they are a population whose navigational skills were already high at the time of selection at the academy before formal training began.

A cortico-collicular circuit for accurate orientation to shelter during escape

When faced with predatorial threats, escaping towards shelter is an adaptive action that offers long-term protection against the attacker. From crustaceans to mammals, animals rely on knowledge of safe locations in the environment to rapidly execute shelter-directed escape actions1–3. While previous work has identified neural mechanisms of instinctive escape4–9, it is not known how the escape circuit incorporates spatial information to execute rapid and accurate flights to safety. Here we show that mouse retrosplenial cortex (RSP) and superior colliculus (SC) form a monosynaptic circuit that continuously encodes the shelter direction. Inactivation of SC-projecting RSP neurons decreases SC shelter-direction tuning while preserving SC motor function. Moreover, specific inactivation of RSP input onto SC neurons disrupts orientation and subsequent escapes to shelter, but not orientation accuracy to a sensory cue. We conclude that the RSC-SC circuit supports an egocentric representation of shelter direction and is necessary for optimal shelter-directed escapes. This cortical-subcortical interface may be a general blueprint for increasing the sophistication and flexibility of instinctive behaviours.

Location Based Services for Human Self-Localization

Human self-localisation is an important part of everyday life. In order to determine one’s own position and orientation, the allocentric representation, usually in the form of a map, has to be aligned with one’s own egocentric representation of the real world. This requires objects (anchor points) that are present in both representations. We present two novel approaches that aim to simplify the process of alignment and thus the self-localisation. The Viewshed approach is based on visibility analysis and the Image Recognition approach identifies objects and highlights them on the map. On the basis of an empirical experiment with 30 participants in the city of Vienna, Austria, the two approaches were compared with each other as well as with a standard approach using a 2D map representation. The goal is to assess and compare aspects like efficiency, user experience, and cognitive workload. Results show that the Image Recognition method provided the best support and was also most popular among users. The Viewshed method performed well below expectations.

What insects can tell us about the origins of consciousness

How, why, and when consciousness evolved remain hotly debated topics. Addressing these issues requires considering the distribution of consciousness across the animal phylogenetic tree. Here we propose that at least one invertebrate clade, the insects, has a capacity for the most basic aspect of consciousness: subjective experience. In vertebrates the capacity for subjective experience is supported by integrated structures in the midbrain that create a neural simulation of the state of the mobile animal in space. This integrated and egocentric representation of the world from the animal’s perspective is sufficient for subjective experience. Structures in the insect brain perform analogous functions. Therefore, we argue the insect brain also supports a capacity for subjective experience. In both vertebrates and insects this form of behavioral control system evolved as an efficient solution to basic problems of sensory reafference and true navigation. The brain structures that support subjective experience in vertebrates and insects are very different from each other, but in both cases they are basal to each clade. Hence we propose the origins of subjective experience can be traced to the Cambrian.