Research on the terrain cognition in small-scale environment

Although the terrain cognition of small-scale environment plays an important role in perception of geographical space, few studies have explored this issue. This study focus on the terrain cognition and its role and psychological mechanism in small-scale environment by adopting the Pukou pre-campus in Nanjing University as studying area. The survey interviewed 644 freshmen for two years. Then the data was analyzed by using the coding method of the geographical elements, spatial analysis and multi-source data processing methods. Finally, the article is concluded as follows: 1) The cognition of undulating terrain can contribute to the formation of three-dimensional environmental representation and it is important image of edges and landmarks of wayfinding; 3)The spatial extent and characteristics of terrain cognition of subjects is same as actual ones and the elevation difference associated with daily activity space for the reference points are generally cognized by the participants. 4) The relative elevation, not height above sea level, is being encoded by human-being, even if they have the knowledge of the height above sea level.