Evaluating and refining computational models of spatial relations through cross-linguistic human-subjects testing

Abstract

Abstract. Human-subjects testing based on a sound formal model is outlined as an effective way to evaluate and refine computational models of spatial relations. The cognitive response of a subject (person) to a realworld situation depends on the characteristic of the situation and the characteristics of the subject. Spatial entities can be characterized by topological relations, metric, scale (scope), kinds of phenomena (semantics), motion (time), and (for maps and displays) graphic presentation. Subjects' responses may vary according to their natural languages, their cultures, and individual characteristics such as gender, age, and handedness. Given this conceptual background, seven human-subjects testing protocols are introduced. Each test is described, and results of applications of these tests are summarized where possible. The tests are compared with their requirements, and the different aspects of human spatial cognition that they might test. Lastly, a program for applying these tests and refining the formal models based on test results is presented.

Qualitative Spatial Representation and Reasoning

“…Claims are often made that qualitative reasoning is akin to human reasoning, but with little or no empirical justification. One exception to this is the study made of a calculus for representing topological relations between regions and lines [138]. Another study is [120] that has investigated the preferred Allen relation (interpreted as a 1D spatial relation) in the case that the composition table entry is a disjunction.…”

Construction of geo-ontology knowledge base about spatial relations

“…Some scholars have used these aspects to assist the spatial relation analysis, query and reasoning. Yao and Thill [1] researched how far is far in different contextcontingent; Mark [2], [3], [4] focused on natural language understanding of the spatial relations between lines and regions; Jones [5], [6] researched on build geographical ontology for intelligent spatial search on the web. In China, Xu J [7], [8] researched on natural language understanding of the spatial relations between linear objects; Liu Y [9] focused on representation and reasoning of spatial relations in geographical space; BIAN Fu-ling [10] researched on build location ontology for geographic knowledge base; JING Dong-sheng [11] focused on geo-spatial information semantic expression and service based on ontology.…”

A Study on how Humans Describe Relative Positions of Image Objects

“…Additionally, the dimensionality of the space and objects in question determines the relations that can be used -in a 3D space, relations like BEHIND and IN FRONT OF may be appropriate. In addition to these factors, individual differences like gender (Linn & Petersen 1985) and handedness (Halpern 1986;Mark et al 1995) may affect how one forms mental models of spatial phenomena and assigns meanings to spatial concepts. Anthropologist Hall (1966) found that a subject's experience of space, and hence perception of spatial relations, are affected by culture.…”

“…This was confirmed by Montello (1995), in his critical discussion of the significance of cultural differences in spatial cognition. Based on these factors, two human subjects may perceive the same concept quite differently, and hence describe it differently (Mark et al 1994;Mark et al 1995;Worboys 2001). As early as 60 years ago, Whorf and Sapir (1940) proposed that language influences or constrains the way in which people think; this work is known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.…”