The Cognitive Reality of Schematic Maps

In graphics and language, schematization is an important method to emphasize certain aspects and to deemphasize others. Different disciplines use schematization for different reasons. In cartography, graphic schematization is one aspect of map generalization. In contrast, cognitive science addresses schematization as a method to intentionally emphasize certain aspects of knowledge beyond technical necessity; therefore, the notion of schematic map is proposed to denote maps that employ schematization for cognitive representational reasons. This chapter discusses different views of schematization from cartography, linguistics, and artificial intelligence. Connections to qualitative reasoning in artificial intelligence are drawn. We address human spatial cognition and present examples of task-oriented representations. Finally, multimodality for conveying spatial knowledge and its application in schematic maps are discussed.