地圖傳播理論式微以後，結合心理認知的視覺知覺理論取而代之，成為地圖設計探討的重要依據，強調符號設計時切不可忽略讀者心理反應所提供的線索。地圖符號研究乃循Peirce系統性分析的符號語言學(Semeiotic)發展而來，即使對符號語意的分析，亦採量化之評估方法。本研究植基於MacEachren (1995)的地圖符號三角模式，以解釋作為媒介，透過心理學上所使用的語意差異法來量測出受測者的態度，藉以反映出符號與指涉物間連結性的強弱，作為符號設計之參考。從實驗中發現，極大多數的符號之聯想性與易讀性呈高度相關，顯示清晰的視覺分析，與記憶系統之貯存與使用乃息息相關；而常見與聯想間或常見與易讀間，對具正面語意的符號而言，多僅呈中度相關，但對具負面語意的符號來說，則均具高度相闕，可見得熟悉性在認知中極具重要性；至於美觀語意在本實驗中，結果與此它語意相關性較弱。而受測者之經驗背景，尤其地圖實作經驗，確實提供了對符號的不同看法，印證經驗對語意不可小覰之影響力。
The psychophysical and cognitive research is applied to the study of cartographic symbols recently, which was root in Peirce's semeiotic, a field focusing on logic of science. Based on MacEachren's triadic model of map signs, this study. emphasizes a view from sign-vehicle through interpretant to reference, and employed semantic differential test to assess subject's attitude to decide the strength of relationship between sign-vehicle and reference. The results of this study revealed a high degree of consistency between association and legibility. While the relation ship between familiarity and association as well as familiarity and legibility were moderate only. In general, the more negative semantics the more strong relationship was linked. Also, experience and gender affect the response significantly.
