The spatial frame of reference in object naming and discrimination of left-right reflections

The effects of stimulus rotation and observer's head-tilt position on various pattern-recognition tasks were investigated to compare the external directions most closely aligned with the spatial frame of reference. Specifically, the effects of these factors on the time to name objects were compared with their effects on the time to discriminate left-facing from right-facing lateral views of these objects, as well as with their effects on the time to discriminate normal from mirror-imaged alphanumeric characters. The naming task relied upon a reference frame more closely aligned with retinal directions than with environmental directions. In contrast, both discrimination tasks relied upon a frame aligned more closely with environmental directions. Overall, the nature of the task exerts a greater influence on the directions with which the frame of reference is aligned than do the stimulus attributes.