关键词: 地理认知理论, 地理意向, 地理意象, 地理思维

Abstract: The characteristic of exiting study about Geographical information systems (GIS) and Geographical expert systems (GES) is the formalization of geographical knowledge utilizing technology of computer software, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), which ignores the research of logical thinking system by which the geographical experts solve problems. Therefore, to study the methodology of geographical experts’ logical thinking, the Geographical CognitionTheory (GCT) which aims at research and simulation on the logical thinking mode of geographers is put forward. On the basis of analyzing two concepts in the Cognitive Science——Intention and Mental images, two major concepts in the GCT that are Geographical Intention (GI) and Geographical Mental Images (GMI) are proposed. To probe into the connotation of the GCT, the thesis analyses the characteristic and meaning of Geographical Thinking expressed by Geographical Intention and Geographical Mental Images, studies the method and significance of researching geographical methodology with cognitive psychology as a measure. The symbol system of spatial behavior decision making is discussed. Furthermore, a mode of spatial behavior decision making based on computer is established, and the Information flow and Knowledge flow in the mode is discussed, from above the relation and distinction between GIS and GES are disclosed. To the research of contemporary geography, the systematic, comprehensive, regional and practical research methods are emphasized. The research of contemporary geographical methodology in turn enhances the research of the geographical theory. The contemporary geography has been recognized as a strongly comprehensive discipline and has its own independent scientific system. It is just the “scientific and comprehensive nature” of contemporary geographical methodology that demand us to research the interior and deep laws of the development of the geographical theory system and method system; and cognitive science and cognitive psychology, as the sciences that specially study the laws of human cognitive process, have just provided the necessary means for the research. The GCT, which is established through the cognitive analysis of the development of geographical theory and methods, is sure to be beneficial to the analysis and research of geographical methodology and hence beneficial to the analysis and research of geographical theoretical system, and it also provides the theoretical basis for GIS and GES.

Key words: Geographical Cognition Theory, Geographical Intention, Geographical Mental Images, Geographical Thinking