Zyszkowska, W. 1998. "Some Cognitive Aspects of Map Perception with Regard to Gender-Based Differences" in Proceedings of the Joint Seminar on Maps for Special Users, Eds. Jacqueline M. Anderson, Ewa Krzywicka-Blum. Wydawnictwo Akademii Rolniczej de Wroclawiu, Wroclaw, Poland 1998, 169-176.

Abstract. The paper presents a study investigating the role of imagery versus statement strategy as well as up-down versus down-up system of perception in perceiving and remembering map information. Gender-based differences were considered as one of the main factors of map perception and the assumption on higehr mental imagery of males versus females was taken. The subjects, students of Geography at the University of Wroclaw, were asked to respond to two tests. In the first test they were divided into three groups and asked either to read, or to imagine, or to remember a statement. Then they were to compare it with a map on the screen and answer if it was true or false. Times of imagining and taking decisions were analysed and served as a base for conclusions about the type of cognitive strategy used in map perception by the subjects. Generally, subjects tended to use the statement strategy. Some gender-based differences were confirmed; males were slightly better at mental imagery than females. In the second test the subjects had one and half minute to look at three versions of a fictitious map, each one representing a different level of generalization of the graphic form. Recalling map information and answer correctness were analysed with respect to the differences between general and detailed information. The clearly higher scores in general information show that up-down system is of great importance in map perception. In this case, female subjects were better than male ones.

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