Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Human factors in GIScience laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University

  • Laboratory Note
  • Published:
Cognitive Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The human factors in GIScience Laboratory (Human Factors Lab) of The Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Geography is located in University Park, PA (USA). University Park and bordering State College, PA are found in the heart of PA between the cities of New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA. The laboratory is directed by Dr. Alexander Klippel and is part of the GeoVISTA Center. The Human Factors Lab contributes to Penn State Geography’s strong tradition as a leader in research on map perception, spatial cognition, and behavior in spatial environments. This report focuses upon basic research topics in spatial cognition, including: (1) perceptual and cognitive factors in map symbolization and design, (2) the creation of cognitively ergonomic route directions for next generation location based services (LBS), (3) You-Are-Here maps and the creation of a sense of place through map-like representations, (4) the conceptualization and representation of dynamic phenomena (i.e., geographic movement pattern), and (5) the relationship between linguistic and non-linguistic conceptualization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Allen G (2000) Principles and practices for communicating route knowledge. Appl Cogn Psychol 14(4):333–359. doi:10.1002/1099-0720(200007/08)14:4<333::AID-ACP655>3.0.CO;2-C

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aretz AJ, Wickens CD (1992) The mental rotation of map displays. Hum Perform 5(4):303–328. doi:10.1207/s15327043hup0504_3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aubrey J, Li K, Dobbs AR (1994) Age differences in the interpretation of misaligned “you-are-here” maps. J Gerontol 49(1):29–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunet R (1987) La carte, mode d’emploi. Fayard-Reclus, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Caduff D, Timpf S (2008) On the assessment of landmark salience for human navigation. Cogn Process 9(4):249–267. doi:10.1007/s10339-007-0199-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers JM, Cleveland WS, Kleiner B, Tukey PA (1983) Graphical methods for data analysis. The Wadsworth & Brooks/Cole statistics/probability series. Wadsworth, Belmont

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen C (2008) An information-theoretic view of visual analytics. IEEE Comput Graph Appl 28(1):18–23. doi:10.1109/MCG.2008.2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chernoff H (1973) The use of faces to represent points in k-dimensional space graphically. J Am Stat Assoc 68:361–368. doi:10.2307/2284077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chernoff H, Rizvi MH (1975) Effect on classification error of random permutations of features in representing multivariate data by faces. J Am Stat Assoc 70(351):548–554. doi:10.2307/2285931

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford LE, Regier T, Huttenlocher J (2000) Linguistic and non- linguistic spatial categorization. Cognition 75(3):209–235. doi:10.1016/S0010-0277(00)00064-0

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duckham M, Kulik L (2003) “Simplest” paths: automated route selection for navigation. In: Kuhn W, Worboys M, Timpf S (eds) Proceedings on spatial information theory: foundations of geographic information Science: International Conference, COSIT 2003, Ittingen, Switzerland, 2–4 September 2003, Springer, Berlin, pp 182–199

  • Egenhofer MJ, Al-Taha KK (1992) Reasoning about gradual changes of topological relationships. In: Frank AU, Campari I, Formentini U (eds) Theories and methods of spatio-temporal reasoning in geographic space, theories and methods of spatio-temporal reasoning in geographic space. Springer, Berlin, pp 196–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabrikant SI, Montello DR, Mark DM (2006) The distance-similarity metaphor in region-display spatializations. IEEE Comput Graph Appl 26:34–44. doi:10.1109/MCG.2006.90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furlan A, Baldwin T, Klippel A (2007) Landmark classification for route description generation. In: Proceedings of the Fourth ACL-SIGSEM Workshop on Prepositions, Prague, pp 9–16

  • Gehrke J, Hommel B (1998) The impact of exogenous factors on spatial coding in perception and memory. In: Freksa C, Habel C, Wender KF (eds) Spatial cognition: an interdisciplinary approach to representing and processing spatial knowledge. Springer, Berlin, pp 64–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Golledge RG (ed) (1999) Wayfinding behavior: cognitive mapping and other spatial processes. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Gumperz JJ, Levinson SC (eds) (1996) Rethinking linguistic relativity. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

  • Hansen S, Richter K-F, Klippel A (2006) Landmarks in OpenLS: a data structure for cognitive ergonomic route directions. In: Raubal M, Miller H, Frank AU, Goodchild MF (eds) GIScience 2006. Springer, Berlin, pp 128–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardisty F (2005) The GeoViz toolkit: Auto-Carto, Las Vegas, NV, 20–23 March 2005

  • Hoffman DD, Singh M (1997) Salience of visual parts. Cognition 63:29–78. doi:10.1016/S0010-0277(96)00791-3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hommel B, Gehrke J, Knuf L (2000) Hierarchical coding in the perception and memory of spatial layouts. Psychol Res 64:1–10. doi:10.1007/s004260000032

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hulleman J, te Winkel W, Boselie F (2000) Concavities as basic features in visual search: Evidence from search asummetries. Percept Psychophys 62(1):162–174

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • January D, Kako E (2007) Re-evaluating evidence for linguistic relativity: reply to Boroditsky (2001). Cognition 104:417–426. doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2006.07.008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A (2003). Wayfinding Choremes. In: Kuhn W, Worboys M, Timpf S (eds) Proceedings on spatial information theory: foundations of geographic information science: international conference, COSIT 2003, Ittingen, Switzerland, 24–28 September 2003. Springer, Berlin, pp 320–334

  • Klippel A, Montello DR (2007). Linguistic and nonlinguistic turn direction concepts. In: Winter S, Kuipers B, Duckham M, Kulik L (eds) Proceedings on spatial information theory: 9th international conference, COSIT 2007, Melbourne, 19–23 September 2007. Spronger, Berlin, pp 354–372

  • Klippel A, Tappe H, Habel C (2003) Pictorial representations of routes: Chunking route segments during comprehension. In: Freksa C, Brauer W, Habel C, Wender KF (eds) Spatial cognition III: routes and navigation, human memory and learning, spatial representation and spatial learning. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A, Knuf L, Hommel B, Freksa C (2005a) Perceptually induced distortions in cognitive maps. In: Freksa C, Knauff M, Krieg-Brückner B, Nebel B, Barkowsky T (eds) Spatial cognition IV. Reasoning, action, interaction: international spatial cognition 2004, Frauenchiemsee, Germany, 11–13 October 2004. Springer, Berlin, pp 204–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A, Tappe H, Kulik L, Lee PU (2005b) Wayfinding choremes—a language for modeling conceptual route knowledge. J Vis Languages Comput 16(4):311–329. doi:10.1016/j.jvlc.2004.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A, Freksa C, Winter S (2006) You-are-here maps in emergencies—the danger of getting lost. J Spat Sci 51(1):117–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A, MacEachren AM, Mitra P, Turton I, Jaiswal A, Soon K et al (2008a). Wayfinding choremes 2.0: conceptual primitives as a basis for translating natural into formal language. In: van der Weghe N, Billen R, Kuijpers B, Bogaert P (eds) Moving objects: from natural to formal kanguage. Workshop held in conjunction with GIScience 2008, Park City

  • Klippel A, Worboys M, Duckham M (2008b) Identifying factors of geographic event conceptualisation. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 22(2):183–204. doi:10.1080/13658810701405607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klippel A, Hansen S, Richter K-F, Winter S (2009a) Urban granularities—a data structure for cognitively ergonomic route directions. GeoInformatica. doi:10.1007/s10707-008-0051-6

  • Klippel A, Hardisty F, Weaver C (2009b) Star plots: how shape characteristics influence classification tasks. Cartography and Geographic Information Science (to appear)

  • Klippel A, Tenbrink T, Montello DR (2009c) The role of structure and function in the conceptualization of directions. In: van der Zee E, Vulchanova M (eds) Motion encoding in language and space, motion encoding in language and space. Oxford University Press, Oxford (to appear)

  • Lee PU, Klippel A (2005) Dynamic aspects of spatial information in air traffic controller displays. In: Barkowsky T, Freksa C, Hegarty M, Lowe R (eds) Reasoning with mental and external diagrams: computational modeling and spatial assistance. AAAI Press, Stanford, pp 18–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee PU, Klippel A, Tappe H (2003) The effect of motion in graphical user interfaces: Smart Graphics. In: In: Butz A, Krüger A, Olivier P (eds) Third international symposium, SG 2003, vol 2733, Heidelberg, 2–4 July 2003. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp 12–21. Springer, Berlin

  • Levine M (1982) You-are-here maps—Psychological considerations. Environ Behav 14(2):221–237. doi:10.1177/0013916584142006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liben LS, Downs RM (1993) Understanding person—space-map relations: cartographic and developmental perspektives. Dev Psychol 29(4):739–752. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.29.4.739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovelace K, Hegarty M, Montello DR (1999) Elements of good route directions in familiar and unfamiliar environments: spatial information theory. In: Freksa C, Mark DM (eds) Cognitive and computational foundations of geographic information science. Springer, Berlin, pp. 65–82

  • Lynch K (1960) The image of the city. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabrouk, M. (2005) OpenGis Location Services (OpenLS): Core Services. OGC Implementation Specification 05–016 Version 1.1 Open Gis Consortium Inc

  • MacEachren AM (1992) Learning spatial information from maps: Can orientation-specificity be overcome? Prof Geogr 44(4):431–443. doi:10.1111/j.0033-0124.1992.00431.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacEachren AM (1995) How maps work: representation, visualization, and design. The Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • MacEachren AM, Cai G (2006) Supporting group work in crisis management: visually mediated human-GIS-human dialogue. Environ Plann B Plann Des 33:435–456. doi:10.1068/b3188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacEachren AM, Brewer CA, Pickle L (1998) Visualizing georeferenced data: representing reliability of health statistics. Environ Plan A 30:1547–1561. doi:10.1068/a301547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mark DM (1986) Automated route selection for navigation. IEEE Aerosp Electron Syst Mag 1:2–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie G, Klippel A, Bishop I You-are-here maps: the interaction of landmarks and map alignment (submitted)

  • McNamara TP, Ratcliff R, McKoon G (1984) The mental representation of knowledge acquired from maps. J Exp Psychol 10(4):723–732

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monmonier M (1999) How to lie with maps, 2nd edn. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Montello DR (1998) A new framework for understanding the acquisition of spatial knowledge in large-scale environments. In: Egenhofer MJ, Golledge RG (eds) Spatial and temporal reasoning in geographic information, spatial and temporal reasoning in geographic information. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 143–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer SE (1999) Vision science: photons to phenomenology. A Bradford book. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng W, Ward MO, Rundensteiner EA (2004) Clutter reduction in multi-dimensional data visualization using dimension reordering. In Proceedings of 2004 IEEE symposium on information visualization. IEEE Computer Society, Los Alamitos

    Google Scholar 

  • Randell DA, Cui Z, Cohn AG (1992) A spatial logic based on regions and connections. In: Proceedings 3rd international conference on knowledge representation and reasoning. Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, pp 165–176

  • Regier T, Zheng M (2007) Attention to endpoints: a cross-linguistic constraint on spatial meaning. Cogn Sci 31(4):705–719

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter K-F, Klippel A (2005) A model for context-specific route directions. In: Freksa C, Knauff M, Krieg-Brückner B, Nebel B, Barkowsky T (eds) Spatial cognition IV. reasoning, action, interaction: international spatial cognition 2004, Frauenchiemsee, Germany, 11–13 October 2004, Revised Selected Papers. Springer, Berlin, pp 58–78

  • Scaife M, Rogers Y (1996) External cognition: how do graphical representations work? Int J Hum Comput Stud 45:185–213. doi:10.1006/ijhc.1996.0048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slobin DI (1996) From “thought and language” to “thinking for speaking”. In: Gumperz JJ, Levinson SC (eds) Rethinking linguistic relativity, Rethinking linguistic relativity. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 70–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorrows M, Hirtle SC (1999) The nature of landmarks for real and electronic spaces. In: Freksa C, Mark DM (eds) Spatial information theory. Cognitive and computational foundations of geographic information science. Springer, Berlin, pp 37–50

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas S, Hirtle SC (2007) Knowledge based schematization of route directions. In: Barkowsky T, Knauff M, Ligozat G, Montello DR (eds) Spatial cognition V: reasoning, action, interaction, spatial cognition V. Reasoning, action, interaction. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the anonymous reviewers and Alan MacEachren and Rob Roth for insightful feedback on an earlier version of this report.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, GeoVISTA Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Alexander Klippel

Authors
  1. Alexander Klippel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander Klippel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Klippel, A. Human factors in GIScience laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. Cogn Process 10, 175–183 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-008-0251-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-008-0251-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation