Route Descriptions Using Maps, Photomaps, and Imagery: An Experimental Analysis

摘要

Previous route description experiments conducted by psychologists show there are differences between males and females in the use of landmarks when describing routes. Previous research has shown that females used landmarks and egocentric forms of turn descriptors more often than males for route descriptions. This method is known as route knowledge in the spatial knowledge literature. Males, conversely, were seen to use fewer landmarks and more cardinal direction descriptions and standard distances when describing routes. Spatial knowledge literature terms this method survey knowledge. The current experiment tested the hypothesis that sex is not the determinant of landmark usage for route descriptions but different cartographic methods depicting the same locale determine whether landmarks are described. Two quasi-experiments were conducted using different map types. Results of the experiments show that map type, not sex, influences landmark usage for route descriptions.