The visual search method in map perception research

The way of presenting reality on a map influences the user’s perception, so it also affects the image of reality created in the user’s mind. Therefore, for centuries maps have been considered cognition tools that influence people’s image of the world. Twentieth-century cartographers came to the conclusion that the centuries-old way of map development based on intuition can and should be modified to better reflect the reality, using theories and methods of research from other disciplines, especially psychology. Taking methods from psychology contributed to the development of cognitive cartography. The basic features that distinguish it from other research directions in cartography are that it focuses on the map user, the analysis of map reading and the interpretation process, using experiment as a basic research method and the transfer of experiences and methods, and often the research problems, from psychology to cartography.