Feature Accumulation and Route Structuring in Distance Estimations - An Interdisciplinary Approach

It is well-known that route distance estimates are influenced by the structure of the route. In particular, the number of features along the route (e.g. landmarks) and the structuring of the route into stretches have been shown to influence distance estimates, usually increasing them (feature accumulation, route structuring). However, the two effects have not been related to one another yet. What is the relation between them? We have approached this question from two perspectives. The paper describes a cognitive model of route representation and processes, which produces both effects as the outcomes of task-specific retrieval procedures. It also describes an experiment whose results support the hypothesis that route structuring, if induced by segmentation, is a special case of feature accumulation. We relate the empirical results to the model, show how they support and constrain each other, and outline what further research is needed.