Cognitive Models and Cartographic Design Research
The Cartographic Journal, (December 1985)Abstract
System and processing models of visual/cognitive behaviour are examined for their potential contribution to cartographic design research. System models attempt to describe the cognitive system by a set of functional components, while processing models are concerned with the sequence of activities by which a cognitive act is performed. Through an examination of their application to discussions of cartography as a natural language and the problems of map learning and map complexity, it is concluded that current models have strong explanatory power. Of particular importance is the stress they place on the organisational nature of map reading and the active role of the reader in the cartographic process.