spatial memory

[ˈspeɪʃəl ˈmɛməri]
nounpl: spatial memories
memória espacial
1. The cognitive ability to remember the location and arrangement of objects, places, and environments in physical space
Spatial memory allows you to navigate through familiar places without getting lost.
A memória espacial permite que você navegue por lugares conhecidos sem se perder.
2. A type of memory that encodes information about one's environment and the ability to mentally visualize physical layouts
Athletes rely on spatial memory to understand court or field dimensions during competition.
Os atletas dependem da memória espacial para entender as dimensões da quadra ou campo durante a competição.
3. The hippocampus-dependent memory system responsible for storing and recalling the positions of objects relative to other objects
Spatial memory is crucial for survival in animals navigating their natural habitats.
A memória espacial é crucial para a sobrevivência de animais que navegam por seus habitats naturais.
The term 'spatial memory' is widely used in American and Brazilian neuroscience, psychology, and educational contexts. In Brazil, it's particularly emphasized in cognitive rehabilitation programs and educational psychology. The concept is important in both cultures for understanding navigation abilities, architectural design cognition, and aging-related memory decline.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
spatial cognitionplace memorynavigational memorytopographical memory
Antonyms / Antônimos
spatial disorientationspatial amnesia

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
memória espacial
Standard term used in psychology and neuroscience contexts
São Paulo
memória espacial
Commonly used in academic and research settings
Portugal
memória espacial
Identical usage to Brazilian Portuguese, standard in European Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
memória de espaço
Alternative colloquial form sometimes used in informal contexts

Related Words

hippocampusnavigationcognitive mapenvironmental memoryepisodic memoryvisual memory

Related Idioms & Phrases

to have a good spatial memory (ter uma boa memória espacial)
spatial memory loss (perda de memória espacial)
sharpen one's spatial memory (aprimorar a memória espacial)
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