On the Role of Mental Maps in Migration Research

The fact that the decisions of people are based on the vagaries of perception forms the basis for much philosophical discourse literary design and research in the social and behavioral sciences. Despite the attention that has been given this perceptual theme there remain important gaps in our understanding of the influences of perception on collective human behavior. Our purpose here is to report the findings from the first phase of a study designed to illuminate the importance of perception in two areas of concern for behavioral scientists: intercultural contact and migration theory. These may well appear lofty goals for a single investigation but the broad concept of place perception is conveniently central to the study of source areas alternative destinations and of the complex decision-making process which underpins international migration. Place perception may be cast in a classical migration framework as the way in which people view alternative destinations. Although population scholars show a growing tendency to examine the behavioral aspects of migration only limited attention has been paid to the perceptual basis. Conversely geographers such as Gould (1966) and Johnston (1970) have considered place perception through the technique of the mental map but have not attempted to assess its implications for the study of migration. (excerpt)