Using Posterior EEG Theta Band to Assess the Effects of Architectural Designs on Landmark Recognition in an Urban Setting

Abstract

The process of urban landmark-based navigation has proven to be difficult to study in a rigorous fashion, primarily due to confounding variables and the problem of obtaining reliable data in real-world contexts. The development of high-resolution, immersive virtual reality technologies has opened exciting new possibilities for gathering data on human wayfinding that could not otherwise be readily obtained. We developed a research platform using a virtual environment and electroencephalography (EEG) to better understand the neural processes associated with landmark usage and recognition during urban navigation tasks. By adjusting the architectural parameters of different buildings in this virtual environment, we isolated and tested specific design features to determine whether or not they served as a target for landmarking. EEG theta band (4–7 Hz) event-related synchronization/desynchronization over posterior scalp areas was evaluated at the time when participants observed each target building along a predetermined self-paced route. A multi-level linear model was used to investigate the effects of salient architectural features on posterior scalp areas. Our results support the conclusion that highly salient architectural features—those that contrast sharply with the surrounding environment—are more likely to attract visual attention, remain in short-term memory, and activate brain regions associated with wayfinding compared with non-salient buildings. After establishing this main aggregate effect, we evaluated specific salient architectural features and neural correlates of navigation processing. The buildings that most strongly associated extended gaze time, location recall accuracy, and changes in theta-band neural patterns with landmarking in our study were those that incorporated rotational twist designs and natural elements such as trees and gardens. Other building features, such as unusual façade patterns or building heights, were to a lesser extent also associated with landmarking.

An EEG-Based Investigation of the Effect of Perceived Observation on Visual Memory in Virtual Environments

“…However, our existing sample size of 21 participants is viable for a 0.05 probability of error, a power of 0.80, and an effect size of dz = 0.66. The assumption of the effect size is consistent with the results of similar prior EEG studies, which have generally found a dz between 0.60 and 0.80 [ 34 , 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

“…Prior literature has suggested that theta-band dynamics plays an important role in working memory and visual processing [ 53 , 72 , 73 ]. Therefore, an additional and more detailed analysis was conducted to explore the power dynamics of the theta-band over time, comparing the observation condition to the no-observation condition.…”

“…These were used, along with dipole and scalp locations, to identify IC clusters using the “k-means” clustering algorithm [ 52 ]. Two clusters, one located in the dlPFC and one in the OC, were chosen for analysis based on the previous literature, which implicated these brain regions in the storage and retrieval of short-term visual memory [ 53 , 72 , 73 ]. The first cluster contained 25 ICs from 13 participants.…”

Design Meets Neuroscience: A Preliminary Review of Design Research Using Neuroscience Tools

“…The study provided implications for integrating effective wayfinding into the design of interior environments. Further, Rounds et al (2020) examined the effects of urban design on landmark recognition, with a specific focus on the evaluation of salient architectural features. This EEG study investigated neural processes associated with landmark usage and recognition during landmark-based navigation tasks in a virtual urban setting, providing implications for developing better wayfinding systems in urban planning.…”

A Review of EEG and fMRI Measuring Aesthetic Processing in Visual User Experience Research

“…Interesting emotions, distraction, trance, hypnosis, and intense dreams and emotions Better UX affects weaker relative power on the theta rhythms (frontal and parieto-occipital regions) [12]. eta is correlated with UX on navigation and location recall, which can be considered in the virtual environment [64].…”