visuellräumlichen

Visuellräumlichen is a German-language compound adjective used in cognitive science, psychology and neuroscience to describe phenomena related to the integration of visual perception with space and spatial relationships. The term is typically employed to characterize processes, abilities and representations that combine what is seen with how objects are positioned, moved or navigated in space.

In practical usage, visuellräumliche describes include visuellräumliche Fähigkeiten (visual-spatial abilities) and visuellräumliche Verarbeitung (visual-spatial processing). Related concepts cover visuospatial working memory, mental rotation, visuospatial attention, spatial navigation and visuoconstruction. Together they describe how the brain encodes, maintains and manipulates visual and spatial information.

Neurocognitively, visuellräumliche processing is associated with networks in the dorsal visual stream and the parietal cortex, which support perceiving spatial relationships, guiding actions and mental manipulation of spatial layouts. The concept is relevant in clinical contexts, where impairments may accompany aging, stroke, traumatic brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases, particularly affecting spatial orientation and visuospatial memory.

Assessment of visuellräumliche abilities uses tasks such as mental rotation, visuospatial memory tests, and figures-copying or construction tasks. Research often contrasts visuospatial skills with verbal or object-based cognition to understand how different brain systems contribute to overall intelligence and everyday functioning.

See also terms include visuospatial processing, visual-spatial intelligence and the parietal lobe. The usage of visuellräumlich emphasizes the inseparable link between what is seen and where it is in space.