Pointing accuracy: Does individual pointing accuracy differ for indoor vs. outdoor locations?

Pointing accuracy to and from indoor and outdoor locations was examined to reveal any significant differences in the accuracy with which we recall the arrangement of unseen locations in the world around us. Spatial ability and navigational strategy were included to better understand the cognitive processes involved in pointing accuracy and subsequent environmental knowledge. Results from this study indicate that knowledge for indoor and outdoor environments is indeed different. Individual pointing is more accurate to landmarks and locations that are inside buildings than to those outside, whether or not they point from an indoor or outdoor origin. As well, the preference for configurational and somewhat more complex navigational strategies, as expressed through questionnaire results, is positively correlated with increased pointing accuracy.