Cognitive Processes and Traits Related to Graphic Comprehension

Theories Of Cognition Related To Graphic Comprehension

Graphic comprehension is at its heart a process of sense making. Low-level perceptual processes interact with higher-level attentional, associative, and interpretational processes to influence what people see and understand. The following section omits the cognitive processes with broader applicability and focuses instead on a series of specific constructs developed and tested to explain some component of graphic comprehension. Research on spatial thinking skills helps to categorize independent sets of skills necessary for different types of graphic comprehension tasks, from mental rotation of objects to maintaining vivid imagery. Mental models research applies across those spatial skills to describe how individuals interacting with an expectable external system gain experience and expertise, which they use to guide future interactions. Finally, cognitive load theory addresses the context surrounding the visualization system, building of the individual’s experiences to predict what sorts of modes of communication are likely to be helpful or confusing.