Michael Tlauka

The nature of space and how human understand space has been a topic of interest for many decades. My research focuses on (1) spatial learning in real and computer-simulated (virtual) spaces, on (2) how people encode information from maps and computer displays, and on (3) learning based on textual (spatial) information. My research addresses both theoretical and applied (human factors) questions.

Publications (2006 -)

Tlauka, M., Williams, J., & Williamson, P. (2008, in press). Spatial ability in secondary school students: Intra-sex differences based on self-selection for physical education. British Journal of Psychology.

Tlauka, M., Drummond, A., & Leffers, J. (2008, in press). Spatial knowledge of geographical globes: evidence of vertical alignment effects. British Journal of Psychology

Tlauka, M., Donaldson, P, & Wilson, D. (2008). Forgetting in spatial memories acquired in a virtual environment. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22, 69-84.

Tlauka, M., Wilson, P.N., Adams, M., Souter, C., & Young, A.H. (2007). An investigation into vertical bias effects. Spatial Cognition and Computation, 7, 365-391.

Tlauka, M. (2007). Rotational movements in real and virtual environments. Computers in Human Behavior, 23, 515-524

Tlauka, M., & Wilson, P.N. (2006). Mental representations aquired through language: A study of orientation specificity. Spatial Cognition and Computation, 6, 161-178.

Tlauka, M. (2006). Updating imagined translational movements. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 47, 471-475.

Tlauka, M. (2006). Orientation dependent mental representations following real-world navigation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 47, 171-176.

Research Grants (2006 -)

Tlauka, M. Spatial learning in three-dimensional space. 2006, $6,500, Flinders University Research Grant.

Tlauka, M., & Clark, C. R. Spatial memory: Modality-specificity or modality-independent? 2006, $10,500, Flinders University Research Grant.

Tlauka, M., & Clark, C. R. Viewing maps versus reading a description of a map: Modality-specific encoding of spatial information. 2006, $3,990, Faculty of Social Sciences Research Support Grant.

Conference Papers (2006 -)

Tlauka, M., Clark, C.R., & Liu, P. (2007, April). Modality-specific encoding of spatial information: an electrophysiological study. 34th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Canberra, ACT.

Drummond, A., & Tlauka, M. (2007, April). Vertical viewpoint switching. 34th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Canberra, ACT.

Donaldson, P., & Tlauka, M. (2007, April). Intrinsic object fronts influence the encoding of scenes. 34th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Canberra, ACT.

Tlauka, M., Donaldson, P., & Wilson, D. (2006, July). Mental exertion and forgetting in human spatial memory. 4th International Conference on Memory, Sydney, Australia.

Tlauka, M., Williams, J., & Williamson, P. (2006, April). Inter- and intra-gender differences in spatial ability. 33rd Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Brisbane, Queensland.

Drummond, A., & Tlauka, M. (2006, April). Switching imagined viewpoints. 33rd Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Brisbane, Queensland.

Further information is available from Michael Tlauka's website