Using Pixel Counts to Measure Accuracy and Confidence in Representations of Mental Maps

Mental imagery and cognitive maps are difficult to study because these are so subjective and not easily observable. This exploratory study uses pixel counts to measure accuracy and confidence related to mental imagery. In this study 35 fifth grade students received an outline map of the continental United States on a standard-sized sheet of paper and asked to write state abbreviations as large as possible being 100% confident that the abbreviations would be within the boundary of the respective states. The response sheets were scanned. Adobe Photoshop was used to calculate pixel counts of the area of the abbreviations within and outside of the respective state boundaries. The ratio of In and Out pixel counts provided a measurement of Accuracy, while a ratio of In and Total State pixel counts provided a measurement of Confidence. More abbreviations were attempted for US states that had one or more sides present on the US outline map. The girls showed greater accuracy and higher confidence across all conditions. Similarly, there was a linear relationship between the number of reference sides and the confidence outcomes. The results provide proof of concept that pixel count measurements provide value to measuring mental imagery and spatial cognition. Keywords: mental imagery, cognitive maps, spatial cognition, accuracy, confidence index