A Psychology of Visualization or (External) Representation?
This foundational work proposes a new interdisciplinary framework for researchers in visualization and psychology, though it is incremental in shifting conceptual focus.
The paper argues for establishing Visualization Psychology as an interdisciplinary research program by redefining its focus from 'visualization' to the broader concept of 'external representations', aiming to map the problem space for this new field.
What is a visualization? There is limited utility in trifling with definitions, except insofar as one serves as a tool for communicating and conceptualizing our subject matter; a statement of identity for a community. To establish Visualization Psychology as a viable inter-disciplinary research programme, we must first define the object(s) of our collective inquiry. I propose that while we might refer to the study of "visualization" for the term's colloquial accessibility and pragmatic alignment with other fields, we should consider for exploration a class of artifacts and corresponding processes more expansive and profound: external representations. What follows is an argument for the study of external representation as the foundation for a new interdisciplinary endeavor, and approach to mapping the corresponding problem space.