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Spatial Representation

From Gene to Mind

Barbara Landau author James E Hoffman author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:18th Oct '12

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Spatial Representation cover

Our experience of the spatial world is a unitary one; we perceive objects and layouts, we remember them and act on them, and we can even talk about them with ease. Despite this impression of seamlessness, spatial representations in human adults appear to be specialized in domain-dependent manner, engaging different properties and computational mechanisms for different functions. In this book, the authors present evidence that this domain-specific specialization in cognitive function emerges early in development and is reflected in patterns of breakdown that occur under genetic defect. The authors focus on spatial representation in children and adults with Williams syndrome, a relatively rare genetic syndrome that gives rise to an unusual profile of severely impaired spatial representation together with spared language. Results from a variety of spatial domains -- including object representation, motion perception, action, navigation, and spatial language -- appear to display a strikingly uneven profile of sparing and deficit within spatial representations, consistent with the idea that specialization of function drives development and breakdown. These findings raise a crucial question: Can specific genes target specific aspects of cognitive structure? Looking deeper into the patterns of performance across spatial domains, the book explores the notion that understanding patterns of normal development across domains is crucial to understanding unusual development. Using insights from normal development, the authors propose a speculative hypothesis that explains the emergence of the William syndrome profile, and how complex cognitive outcomes can arise from the deletion of a small set of genes.

Spatial Representation: From Gene to Mind is an important and scholarly book for anyone with an interest in Williams syndrome or for researchers who are interested in finding a model of how to investigate cognitive impairment. Landau and Hoffman do an excellent job integrating the findings from their laboratory with those of other researchers to provide a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive profile associated with Williams syndrome. The book is especially well written and organized ... I would highly recommend the book to anyone with an interest in understanding contemporary research in cognition. * PsycCRITIQUES, April 2013 *

ISBN: 9780195385373

Dimensions: 160mm x 236mm x 25mm

Weight: 728g

392 pages