Final answer:
The verbal code deals with auditory and linguistic information like sounds and words. Spatial code relates to visual and locational brain mapping, affected by language use in spatial navigation. Semantic encoding of verbal information leads to better memory than merely visual or acoustic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between a verbal and a spatial code pertains to the cognitive processes implemented for memory and understanding of information. A verbal code involves the encoding of auditory and linguistic information such as words and sounds, which can be demonstrated with acoustic encoding and semantic encoding. Conversely, a spatial code involves processing visual and locational information in the environment, which is especially significant in navigation and geomapping as shown in spatial thinking shaped by language.
For instance, people who speak languages that utilize cardinal directions instead of relational terms like left or right develop a more acute sense of spatial awareness. This linguistic influence extends into cognitive abilities, including memory and perception. Research has indicated that when it comes to memory of verbal information, semantic encoding, which delves deeper into the meaning of the words, yields stronger recall than simply visual or acoustic encoding.
Moreover, linguistic patterns have been shown to affect thought patterns, leading to cultural differences in cognitive abilities like spatial skills. This is why terms like 'static images' and 'multimodal texts' highlight differing modes of processing, combining time and space.