Cartographic maps

In Chapter 3, Liben follows on Roberts survey of internal spatial representations with an overview of the interpretation and use of external spatial representations. Liben reviews research on children s developing understanding of maps, and proposes three principles of cartographic map understanding which determine the interpretation and use of maps (purpose, duality, and spatialization). Liben s focus on spatial representations which are external and are culturally provided relates to an important question discussed in several chapters in this volume do people spontaneously create spatial representations in the course of reasoning, or do they only use space when it is available as a ready-made tool ... 

As Roberts (this volume) observed in the prior chapter, the notion of the cognitive map has had a long and controversial history. Thus, my own review will necessarily be abbreviated and, no doubt, engender at least some additional controversy. (More extensive discussions may be found in Downs, 1981 and in Downs Stea, 1977.) That disclaimer aside, I propose two fundamental, but interdependent, distinctions between cognitive and cartographic maps (1) the medium is internal and mental in the former versus external and palpable in the latter, and (2) formats are metaphorical in the former but literal in the latter. 

The following are three essential principles of cartographic maps ... 

The Purpose Principle A cartographic map has purpose it is not only of something, it is for something. 

The Duality Principle A cartographic map has a dual existence it is something and it stands for something. 

The Spatialization Principle A cartographic map has a spatial essence it not only represents something, it represents something in relation to space. 

The second principle applies to any physical representation anything that is used to stand for something else has an existence in its own right in addition to its existence in a stand-for relation to its referent. What is potentially problematic for understanding cartographic maps is distinguishing between the physical features of a map that do and do not carry representational meaning about the referent. 

Concluding Comments Cartographic Maps as Tools for Enhancing and... 

What roles do cartographic maps actually play in our everyday and scholarly worlds Are these roles identical to those of cognitive maps A complete answer would require, at a minimum, an introductory text on geography, but a brief overview can be provided by reproducing the succinct list entitled Role of Maps taken from Map Use (Muehrcke, 1986, 14) ... 

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