Doctoral Dissertation Research: Neurological Role of Cartographic Visual Contrast in Geospatial Cognition

鉴于移动导航设备的广泛使用和网络平台上地理空间数据的增加，在日常生活的许多方面使用地图是很常见的。了解如何设计有效地传达信息并具有高度可用性的地图是很重要的。这个项目研究了地图设计如何影响通过功能磁共振脑扫描来理解地图中所代表的空间和地点的能力--这是一种在看地图时查看大脑反应的方法。这个项目使用大脑扫描来更好地观察和研究地图的设计如何影响我们大脑中的空间决策过程。最终，这项研究的洞察力有可能改变地图的设计和定制方式，以适应不同的应用。该项目将有助于对研究生进行地理空间设计和认知科学方面的培训。地图制作者和研究人员认为，地图视觉对比度是衡量地图上物体突出程度的指标，对于确保地图易于阅读和理解非常重要。然而，对于如何设计出具有良好对比度的地图，目前还没有达成共识。在地图设计中，对视觉对比的不同解释使这一问题变得复杂起来。这项研究使用神经科学的理解，通过进行传统的地图设计交互研究和功能磁共振脑扫描实验来重新构建视觉对比理论。观察受试者在不同视觉对比度条件下完成地图交互任务时的脑活动。分析数据以确定与不同地图交互任务相关的大脑区域。该分析寻找不同地图视觉对比度条件所产生的任何潜在的中介效应。这项研究的结果有助于现代化和锚定一个重要的地图设计概念在当前的设计科学文献中。这项研究还扩大了我们对大脑中对地图交互重要的部分的了解。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The use of maps is commonplace in many aspects of daily life given the widespread use of mobile devices for navigation and increased availability of geospatial data on web platforms. It is important to understand how to design maps that communicate information effectively and have high usability. This project studies how map design affects the ability to understand the spaces and places represented in maps via fMRI brain scanning – a method used to see responses in our brains while looking at maps. This project uses brain scanning to better observe and study how the design of maps affects the spatial decision-making process in our minds. Ultimately, the insight from this research has the potential to change how maps are designed and tailored for different applications. This project will contribute to training of graduate students in geospatial design and cognitive science.Map makers and researchers argue that cartographic visual contrast, the measure of how objects on a map stand out, is important for ensuring that maps are easily read and understood. However, there is no consensus on how to designing maps with good contrast. This matter is complicated by different interpretations of visual contrast in map design. This research uses neuroscientific understandings to reframe visual contrast theories by conducting a traditional map design interaction study coupled with an fMRI brain scanning experiment. Participants’ brain activities are observed while they complete map interaction tasks under different visual contrast conditions. Data are analyzed to identify the areas of the brain relevant for different map interaction tasks. The analysis searches for any potential mediating effects resulting from different map visual contrast conditions. The result of this research helps to modernize and anchor an important map design concept within current design science literature. This also research expands what we know about parts of the brain that are important for map interaction.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.