Idiothetic
Encyclopedia
Idiothetic literally means "self-proposition" (Greek derivation), and is used in navigation models (e.g., of a rat in a maze) as in the phrase "idiothetic cues" to indicate that path integration
(Mittelstaedt and Mittelstaedt 1973, 1980) was used to determine the present location instead of allothetic, or external, cues (e.g., visual or tactile). The term idiothetic is also used in psychology
and contrasted with nomothetic
.
Mittelstaedt, M.-L. and Mittelstaedt, H. (1980). Homing by path integration in a mammal. Naturwissenschaften, 67:566–567.
Path integration
Path integration is the name given to the method thought to be used by animals for dead reckoning.Charles Darwin and J.J. Murphy first postulated an inertially-based navigation system in animals in 1873...
(Mittelstaedt and Mittelstaedt 1973, 1980) was used to determine the present location instead of allothetic, or external, cues (e.g., visual or tactile). The term idiothetic is also used in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and contrasted with nomothetic
Nomothetic
Nomothetic literally means "proposition of the law" and is used in philosophy , psychology, and law with differing meanings...
.
See also
Mittelstaedt, H. and Mittelstaedt, M.-L. (1973). Mechanismen der orientierung ohne richtende aussenreize. Forschr. Zool., 21:46–58.Mittelstaedt, M.-L. and Mittelstaedt, H. (1980). Homing by path integration in a mammal. Naturwissenschaften, 67:566–567.
- Navigation researchNavigation researchWhereas originally the term Navigation applies to the process of directing a ship to a destination, Navigation research deals with fundamental aspects of navigation in general...
- NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
- Robotic mappingRobotic mappingRobotic mapping is related to cartography. The goal for an autonomous robot to be able to construct a map or floor plan and to localize itself in it...
.