The Influence of Cogntive Style on Navigational Map Reading
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Date
2013-07-11
Authors
Metcalfe, Benjamin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
In this thesis, I discusses my recent research on the potential relationship between cognitive style and navigational map reading ability. Behavioral geography researchers investigate navigation and a person's knowledge of their environment. These activities have led to and continue to lead to theories about the underlying cognitive processes associated with map use and navigation. Previous research has shown a positive relationship between geographic education and a person's ability to understand the environment around them. Navigation, cognitive maps, mental rotation, map-based knowledge vs. route-based knowledge, and way-finding have all been identified as potential processes that people employ to travel around their environment. By understanding how people behave, process information, solve problems, and make decisions this research hopes to bring to light traits that may be useful in furthering geographic education and, as a result, environmental understanding.