SYMBOL STRUCTURE, INFORMATION CONTENT AND VISUAL FORM: A CARTO-SEMIOTIC THEORY OF MAP SIGNS (CARTOGRAPHY, COGNITION, MAP DESIGN)

While time-saving, low-manual skill technologies of production have placed the tools of mapmaking into the hands of persons outside the field of cartography, the theoretical expertise required to employ these tools effectively must still be provided by the user. Hence, many individuals have begun to produce maps which superficially appear to be of professional quality, but which, when studied closely, are found to be of questionable informational value. Therefore, the formalization of a logic and method for creating maps which communicate information more effectively presented the challenge which inspired this study.;Since the proposed carto-semiotic theory was designed around the human mechanism of cognition, it provides a conceptual basis for most theoretical issues of map information processing. Hence, the proposed theory, which utilizes prototypical mental constructs as the basis for mapping perceived structures and meanings, lends itself to dealing with matters of map design as well as map use. Thus, the proposed theory of signs provides the experienced cartographer with a logic for analyzing and refining the intuitive skills of map design. For the novice and occasional mapmaker, the formalized approach furnishes a method for designing maps. For the student, the proposed theory of signs facilitates a better understanding of maps. And, for the researcher, the theory presents a subject for testing and further development.;Attempts to define the processes of visually communicating information, raised the fundamental questions of how humans see, learn, and use visual information which helped reach a basic understanding of the theories of cognition. Combined with this knowledge, C. Morris' model of semiotics and Rosch's principles of categorization made it possible to formulate the framework for a carto-semiotic theory of signs. Experiments, designed to test various aspects of the proposed theory, were found to support their validity.