Priming Spatial Perspective

Spatial perspective choices have been shown to be sensitive to individual differences, mode of learning, and contextual factors. In two studies using a confederate priming paradigm, we investigated whether higher level conceptual priming at the level of spatial schemas can be found in speakers’ preference for route vs. survey perspective descriptions of how to get from one place to another. Perspective priming was found both when speakers started with or without an individual preference. Priming occurred even after their partners switched from route to survey perspective descriptions, though not vice versa. The implications of these findings for accounts of priming conceptual structure are discussed