Another factor which may explain the existence of this ability is the phenomenon of implicit memory. Implicit memory can be defined as uses of memory in which some previous experience can affect performance without any conscious recollection of the primer, or the initial stimulus that caused the behavior. Surely, none of us remember when or how we formed a memory of our house so exact that it allows us to walk through it without needing to see where we are going. However, we can still walk from the bedroom to the kitchen in the dark. This illustrates implicit memory in that we do not specifically recall the experience of first remembering where things are but somehow are able to avoid bumping into objects that we cannot see.
The possibility of having a mental image of the layout of our house can also explain this ability. Of the different forms of representations used in mental imagery, analog representation is the most probable one used. This is when a mental image closely resembles our perception of the physical object or area. This type of mental representation allows us to manipulate objects in our minds and perform such tasks as mental rotation, mental scanning, and mental comparisons. Because of analog representation, we can represent in our minds the placement of objects in the house in order to avoid them. In conclusion, it is a combination of these factors that allow us to walk from the bedroom to the kitchen in the dark.
Prepared by:
Kelley Carle Ashley Finn Tania Pallotta Gunita Singh