Cognitive aspects of interpretation of image data

Abstract

Interpretation of image data (one of the basic geographic skills-Řezníčková et al., Standards and research in geography education. Current trends and international issues, pp 37-49, 2014) is a complex of complicated intellectual operations, which is based on visual perception (for example, when working with a map, then we can talk about mapping skills—Hanus and Marada, Geografie 119 (4):406-422, 2014). The theoretical part of the study summarizes the scientific knowledge of processes of visual perception applied in the process of visual interpretation of satellite, aircraft and map image data. The author presents partial phases of image data interpreting process: From the initial recording of the image to detection, identification and objects classification. The complexity of the cognitive process with regard to biological and psychological characteristics of the individual are highlighted. The research section presents the results of image data interpretation research according to gender of individuals/research respondents. The research results show (1) a consistent success rate and (2) a consistent speed of problem solving when dealing with image data of aerial and satellite images. The results were slightly surprising with respect to research results concerning map interpretation where respondents attain different degrees of success rate depending on gender.