Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
cognition includes inner mental structures and processes that are part of perception,
attention, thinking, consideration, learning, memory and linguistic and nonverbal
communication, when cognitive cartography itself includes the application of
cognitive theories and methods to understand and read maps, mapping and using
the map to understand cognition. Cognition includes perception, learning, memory,
thinking and solving problems including communications. It also includes external
symbolic structures and processes, for instance maps and written instructions to
perform formal spatial analyses that help internal recognition (Montello et al.
2004
;
Montello
1998
). From the perspective of cognitive science, as part of information
science, which, according to Peuquet (
2002
) also includes cartography, sensual
constructions of individual situations are created by an individual, i.e. an individual
is an active agent. From this point of view, an individual is also active in interaction
between information structures and own conceptual framework. In the case of
cognitive cartography, this interaction is performed between representations of
models of geographic information such as maps, and saved knowledge structure
of the user. This interaction allows the individual to perform individual adjustments
or changes of their knowledge, because a piece of information acquired from the
surrounding environment is the element that creates the knowledge itself. We
should distinguish between cognition as a process and cognition as a result of this
process, i.e. findings and knowledge. Basic approaches to explain cognition are
symbolic representation, connectionism and semiotic approach.
Perception becomes an important element of visualization of uncertainty. Per-
ception is an internal feeling created from an impression to our senses, accepting
impressions or feelings using one of our senses. It is important to realize that human
senses are not perfect and can thus distort reality. In other words, we can observe
that perception itself provides more or less imperfect view of reality (Mezias and
Starbuck
2003
). Some professionals are of the opinion that human personality
influences perception of individuals in particular. Others (Fiske and Taylor
2008
)
are of the opinion that properties that influence perception the most include clarity,
legibility and clearness of the grounds. Here, it is convenient to state that each
cartographic work can be viewed in three different ways: from the professional
(contents of the map), technical (cartographic interpretation of the map contents,
print, font, quality of work) and aesthetical (map composition, used colours, etc.)
points of view (Voˇen´lek
2004
). From the point of view of uncertainty visualiza-
tion, it can be observed that even though all stated parameters and variables have
minimum impact on the correct transfer of information, none of the possibilities can
be excluded (or declared insubstantial) for deeper understanding of this issue. By
defining uncertainty across the spectrum of fields, other interesting facts that are
more or less, directly or indirectly connected to depicting of uncertainty and
subjective perception in maps were ascertained. As Bourgeois (
1985
) described,
perception of individuals can differ distinctively, which leads to the perception of
relativity.
