# Enhancing Recognition Memory in Virtual Memory Palaces Using Worlds-in-Miniature
## 2 Related Work  
### Memory Palaces  
The historical and philosophical development of the memory palace is well documented in The Art of Memory by [PERSON] [1]. The origins of the memory palace date back to the fifth century BCE, with its earliest recorded use attributed to the Greek poet [PERSON]. Memory formation and retrieval are closely tied to spatial context, as shown in studies emphasizing the primacy of spatial information in organizing event memories [1; 2; 9; 10; 11; 12]. According to legend, [PERSON] used his memory of the layout of a banquet hall to identify the bodies of guests after a catastrophic building collapse. This experience led him to develop the memory palace as a method for improving memory. The technique was later adopted and systematized by notable figures such as [PERSON], who utilized it extensively in rhetoric and public speaking [3]. Today, the memory palace remains a vital mnemonic device, widely used in memory competitions and educational contexts where the retention of large amounts of information is essential [6].  
The cognitive and neurological basis of the memory palace is supported by extensive research in neuroscience. Studies have shown that spatial processing and memory formation are closely linked through the activity of the hippocampus, a brain region critical for encoding and retrieving memories [2; 13]. The hippocampus contains specialized neurons known as place cells, which activate when an individual is in a specific location, and grid cells, which create a coordinate-like system to track movement through space [14]. These cells work together to form a mental map of one's surroundings, enabling effective spatial navigation and memory association. Experimental studies have demonstrated that individuals trained in the memory palace technique exhibit exceptional spatial memory and engage brain regions associated with spatial processing. For example, research using MRI scans of London taxi drivers, who must memorize the city's complex street network, revealed that they had significantly larger hippocampi than those of the general population [15]. This suggests that extensive spatial training can lead to measurable structural changes in the brain.  
Recent studies have extended this understanding to practical applications of the memory palace. Virtual memory palaces, implemented through computer-generated environments, provide a structured way for users to harness the benefits of spatial memory [7]. Unlike traditional memory palaces, virtual implementations allow for visual interaction with pre-designed spaces or dynamically generated environments. However, current research highlights several limitations, such as the reduced flexibility of pre-designed environments and the additional cognitive load required to familiarize users with unfamiliar spaces [4]. This has led to recent efforts to improve the adaptability and usability of virtual memory palaces through real-time spatial generation and enhanced spatial navigation interfaces, which have shown promising results in improving memory retention [6].  
By leveraging this connection between spatial cognition and memory, our study aims to address the limitations of existing virtual memory palaces. Specifically, we focus on overcoming the challenges associated with unfamiliar environments through procedural generation and intuitive spatial interfaces, such as the Worlds-in-Miniature (WIM) system [8]. Our approach aims to enhance both short-term and long-term memory retention by enabling users to intuitively recognize and navigate newly generated spaces.