Aspects of Spatial Cognition in Parks

Studies of the conceptual structures that support spatial cognition, suggest a common basis for spatial and linguistic memory. Furthermore, studies of route descriptions provide evidence that selecting crucial information units in these directions is based on metacognitive knowledge that is largely independent of a specific environment. In this paper, we investigated spatial memory as revealed through drawn maps, with a view to exploring this common basis and testing for the presence of metacognitive knowledge in the production of maps. Three experiments were performed. In the first, both individuals with geomatics expertise and those without were asked to draw maps from their memories of the Plains of Abraham Park in Quebec City. These productions were then compared and analyzed. This experiment led to a rich set of results, including the observation that individuals with and without geomatics expertise proceed somewhat differently when drawing maps. In a second experiment, an independent group was asked to judge the resulting maps to determine “better” and “poorer” maps. Evidence was presented that supports the notion of metacognitive knowledge about what constitutes a good map. Finally, in a third experiment, a third group was asked to remove non-essential features from a consolidated map that incorporated all features drawn by all participants in the first experiment. This experiment likewise provided evidence of metacognitive knowledge about maps independent of the environment studied. We conclude with some remarks concerning the likely nature of the common basis that supports both linguistic and cartographic representations of environmental space.