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Mental models, visual reasoning and interaction in information visualization: a top-down perspective.
1Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. zliu6@gatech.edu
IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics
|October 27, 2010
Summary
This study explores mental models and their relationship with external visualizations in information visualization (InfoVis). It proposes interaction as active modeling for cognitive support, aiding understanding and decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Information Visualization
Background:
- Limited understanding of internal representations in information visualization (InfoVis).
- Need to clarify the relationship between internal (mental models) and external visualizations.
- Investigating the role of interaction in cognitive processes during visualization use.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify and illustrate mental models as a key internal representation.
- Outline the relationship between mental models and external visualizations.
- Frame interaction as active modeling to support reasoning.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development.
- Top-down perspective on reasoning as model construction and simulation.
- Analysis of interaction's role in visualization-based reasoning.
Main Results:
- Mental models are central to understanding visualization's cognitive role.
- Interaction serves as active modeling for external anchoring, information foraging, and cognitive offloading.
- Visualization aids model-based reasoning through interaction.
Conclusions:
- Proposes a model-based reasoning framework for InfoVis.
- Highlights interaction's significance for cognitive support in visualization.
- Offers implications for designing, evaluating, and theorizing InfoVis systems.
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