The complexity of simplicity: on the perception of schematized thematic maps

We explore the impact of schematization on thematic maps, in particular how map readers perceive them: how does schematization influence typical map interactions such as orientation, counting, comparing or estimating (Morrison, 1978, Roth, 2012).Computer scientists (Meulemans, 2014, p. 124) join cartographers (Monmonier, 1991, p. 38) in claiming that schematization affects perception: it reduces visual clutter and counters the "false aura of accuracy", which refers to the illusional accuracy thematic data acquires when it is presented using detailed geo data.However, we lack empirical evidence on these effects.