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Using the technique of sketch mapping to generate data about a person's cognitive map knowledge and their ability to use this knowledge is not without criticism. Bidimensional regression is a two-dimensional equivalent of linear regression that quantifiably assesses scale, rotation, and translation differences between the actual and estimated pattern of responses. For example, in many studies bidimensional regression has been used to compare the geometry of the cognitive map to a cartographic map.

In addition, the accuracy of the spatial relations portrayed can be analyzed statistically using spatial statistics. In these cases the focus moves beyond what elements an individual draws to assessing the relationship between the elements and their relativity to the real world. For example, there have been classifications that assess map style, structure, and accuracy. A number of other classification schemes have been used to analyze cognitive maps. The analysis used by Lynch is a content classification. Cognitive maps of Boston, Jersey City and Los Angeles Using this technique he aggregated together the sketch maps of residents in Boston, Jersey City, and Los Angeles to create composite cognitive maps of these cities ( see Fig.1)įigure 1. He analyzed individuals maps by classifying their elements into five different classes (see Table 1) which he then used to produce a composite map where the symbol size/shading density is proportional to the number of times an element appeared on the individual maps. This is the technique pioneered by Lynch. By aggregating together the cognitive maps of several individuals it is possible to determine their shared level of knowledge and which elements of an environment are most salient. Variants on this simple sketch mapping exercise include providing respondents with a small portion of the map to provide a scale and reference, and teaching subjects a sketch map language where specific symbols are used to denote particular features. The scale of the geographic realm to be drawn can vary substantially from the global (e.g., draw a map of the world) to the local (e.g., draw a map of your neighborhood). In experimental conditions, subjects are given a sheet of paper and are asked to draw a map of a certain location, area, or route between locations. Whilst a cognitive map is any ‘map’ which represents an individual's knowledge of an area, it generally takes the form of a sketch map drawn on a sheet of paper (it could, however, be a drawing in sand or a map constructed out of natural material).

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