Mental processing of geographic knowledge

Abstract

The contribution presents a computational modeling approach to geographic knowledge processing in mind. Geographic knowledge is assumed to be stored in a piecemeal manner. Spatial knowledge fragments form a hierarchical structure of lean knowledge. An actual mental image representation is constructed when needed to perform a specific task. In this construction process missing information is complemented to create a determinate mental image. – First, the artificial intelligence perspective taken is elaborated. After a short review of conceptions on mental processing of spatial knowledge from psychology and artificial intelligence we outline the model MIRAGE. The internal structure and the operating of the model is elaborated using an exemplary scenario. Problems in constructing mental images from given pieces of knowledge are demonstrated and discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of the approach with respect to its modeling objective. We point to further research questions and to potential applications.