DAVID H. WARREN Professor Emeritus Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1969 951-827-5034, david.warren@ucr.edu

Spatial cognition refers to the perceptual and conceptual processes that are involved in understanding the physical environment.  My research takes several directions within this framework.

Perceptual and conceptual factors in map use.  When a person uses a map to find his or her way in a physical environment, a variety of perceptual and conceptual processes are involved.  For example, the major features of the environment must be perceived, the depictions of these features on the map must be perceived and understood as symbolic representations, the person must establish a correspondence between his or her location in the environment and the representation of that location on the map, and must then maintain that correspondence as he or she travels within the environment.  Our research touches on most of the major processes that are involved in map use, but we are particularly interested in (a) the perceptual salience of environmental and map features, and (b) the nature of the cognitive operations that people perform on the information that they acquire from maps.  A segment of this research is also concerned with tactual maps for the blind and visually impaired.

Blindness and child development.  Visual impairment has a variety of implications for child development.  Although my research interests are primarily in the area of perceptual and cognitive development, I occasionally conduct studies in other areas of development as well. My broad interests surround the question: What are the implications of visual impairment or blindness for children's development?  I bring an individual differences orientation to this broad issue.

Warren, D. H. & Hatton, D. D. (in press 3/01).  Cognitive development in visually impaired children.  In I. Rapin & S. Segalowitz (Eds.), Handbook of Neuropsychology, 2^nd edition. (33 ms. pages)  Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers.

Warren, D. H.  (1995).  Maps and landscapes: Modes of spatial representation.  Geographical Systems, 2, 255-266.

Rossano, M.J., Warren, D.H., & Kenan, A.  (1995).  Orientation specificity: How general is it?  American Journal of Psychology, 108, 359-380.

Warren, D.H.  (1995). From maps to cityscapes: Reactions to modes of spatial representation.  In  F. Burwick & W. Pape (Eds.), Reflecting senses: Perception and Appearnace in Literature, Culture, and the Arts, (pp. 33-52).  Berlin: de Gruyter.

Warren, D.H.  (1994).  Blindness and Children:  An Individual Differences Approach.  New York:  Cambridge University Press.

Warren, D.H.,  (1994).  Self-localization on plan and oblique maps.  Environment and Behavior, 26, 71-98.