Wayfinding with ambiguous instructions in unfamiliar environments

• Main Authors: Johansson, Christian, Sundberg, Emma
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Umeå universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap 2018
• Subjects: Wayfinding; ambiguous instructions; individual differences; Big five; Santa Barbara sense of direction; Social Sciences Interdisciplinary; Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-149860

The present study aims to predict which individual factors may influence strategy-choices in wayfinding situations, specifically when participants are faced with ambiguous instructions in unfamiliar environments. Individual differences were measured with self-report forms of the Big Five personality traits and the Santa Barbara sense of direction scale (SBSOD). The study was conducted in a web-based survey format with a n=104 (65 female, and 39 male). A regression analysis concluded that the trait conscientiousness was the only factor that had predictive value in determining choice of strategy. SBSOD had some predictive values towards strategy-choice, but needs further investigation before any general conclusion can be drawn. Future studies should focus on a more goal‑oriented task with more realistic stimulus.