Spatiovisual

Spatiovisual is an adjective describing the interaction or integration of spatial information with visual perception. In cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, the term covers how people encode, store, and retrieve information about location, distance, orientation, and object features when processing visual input. It highlights the combined roles of spatial processing and visual processing in forming representations of the visible world.

Research on spatiovisual processing investigates tasks and phenomena that require both components, such as mental rotation, visual-spatial working memory, navigation in visual environments, and the guidance of action by visual cues. Methods commonly used to study spatiovisual processing include behavioral experiments, eye-tracking, neuroimaging (such as fMRI and EEG), and computational modeling to understand how spatial maps and visual features are integrated in the brain.

Applications of spatiovisual principles appear in diverse areas. In interface and visualization design, aligning spatial layouts with visual cues can improve navigation, memory, and decision making. In education, spatiovisual strategies support teaching of spatial concepts and geometry. In technology, spatiovisual data fusion underpins augmented reality, robotics, and autonomous systems where spatial localization must be combined with visual input for accurate perception and action.

Notes and related terms: spatiovisual is closely related to visuospatial processing and visual-spatial cognition, and it is not universally standardized; usage can vary by discipline. See also visuospatial processing, visual perception, spatial cognition.