How does the visual and cognitive saliency of landmarks improve construction of spatial representations in younger and older adults?

ABSTRACT While the role of landmarks is well documented, little research has focused on the characteristics that allow landmarks to benefit the construction of spatial representations. Although their visual saliency has already been explored, cognitive saliency deserves attention. It could benefit to older people who experience decline in their spatial abilities. To explore this issue, young and older participants watched virtual itineraries including landmarks varying in their visual and cognitive saliency. They then performed various landmark and direction-related tasks. The combination of visual and cognitive saliency improved performance in both age groups, without canceling age-related differences but reducing them in some cases. Our results provide evidence that visually and cognitively salient landmarks facilitate the construction of mental representations of environments.