News Humans Where you grew up may shape your navigational skills Childhood environments matter for spatial abilities, video game data suggest Growing up in a specific type of environment, such as the predictable, gridlike streets of Chicago (shown), may influence a person’s sense of direction, a study suggests. Michael H/Stone/Getty Images Plus Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Laura Sanders April 1, 2022 at 9:00 am Score one for the country mouse. People who grow up outside of cities are better at finding their way around than urbanites, a large study on navigation suggests.