Representation of space: image-like or sensorimotor?

We investigate the relation between the physical world and its mental representation in the 'cognitive map', and test if this representation is image-like and complies with the laws of Euclidean geometry. We have developed a new experimental technique using 'impossible' virtual environments (VE) to directly influence the representational development Subjects explore a number of VEs - some 'normal' others with severe violations of Euclidean metrics or planar topology. We check if these manipulated properties cause problems in navigation performance A consistent VE should be easily represented mentally in a map-like fashion, while a VE with severe violations should prove difficult Surprisingly. we found no substantial influence of the impossible VEs on navigation performance. and forced-choice tests showed little evidence that subjects were aware of manipulations This suggests that the representation does not resemble a two-dimensional image-like map Alternatives to consider are sensorimotor and graph-like representations