This is an example of a Mental Map. The map depicts the most feared neighborhoods or areas in the Los Angeles, California metro area. The data set used to construct this mental map utilized 215 individual maps drawn by Los Angeles residents. The areas colored red are perceived to be the most feared areas, and the green areas represent areas perceived to be safer. Sorin Matei is a researcher at Perdue University who constructed this map utilizing GIS software, computer graphic technologies, and the individual maps mentioned above. You can learn more about the creative use of mental maps at his web site: http://www.mentalmaps.info
