The Conceptual Locus of a Two-dimensional Language: Some Implications for Human Responses to Two-dimensional Displays

It is proposed that two-dimensional displays, such as maps, aerial photographs, polygons, etc., may be generated and/or described by two-dimensional languages. A simple perceptual device is posited which utilizes such a language. The device is comprised of at least two components which represent short-term and long-term memory. It is clear that its conceputal locus is in multisystem memory models. Three such models are characterized which provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for the perceptual model posited. Given this conceptual frame, three illustrative sets of implications and experiments for human responses to two-dimensional displays are suggested.