Way -finding as the perception of information over time

This article explores the possibility that way-finding involves the perception of environmental information over time. Drawing on the work of J. J. Gibson, it is hypothesized that the information specifying a route is an invariant sequence of transitions that connect successive vistas. This information is revealed over time as the perceiver follows a route through the environment. Two experiments were conducted in order to examine this hypothesis. In the first study subjects viewed either a complete film of a walk along a route, an edited version of the film containing only the transitions at the turns, or an edited version containing only the vistas between turns. Consistent with the hypothesis, the transitions information proved to be somewhat more reliable than the vistas information with respect to both way-finding performance and confidence ratings for turn decisions. A second study was designed specifically to assess subjects' sensitivity to the sequence or order of transitions in a route. After viewing the complete film of a walk along a route, subjects observed a series of edited films in which the order of transitions was varied. Similarity ratings of the edited films in relation to the complete film revealed that subjects did extract the particular sequence of transitions presented in the complete film. In combination, these studies provide support for the overall research hypothesis. These findings and this theoretical framework are discussed in relation to the standard constructivist approach to way-finding.     

HOW PERSONAL CAN TRAINING GET?

Training on the person of the therapist calls for trainees to deal with their personal issues in relation to the therapy they do. Growing controversy about dual relationships has the field wondering where to draw the line between training and therapy. This paper offers a distinction between dual qualities and dual relationships to clarify the issue. An illustration of clinical training with qualities of therapy demonstrates an effort to maintain proper boundaries in training on the person of the therapist.