1.4.2 Process map
graphic

Besides colours, pictures and symbols form a vital part of mindmaps. Colours help to distinguish between different aspects of the subject and also show their organization, apart from helping to visualize the mindmaps for recall. Further, pictures and symbols aid in remembering information more effectively than words. Also, lines or symbols are used in mindmaps to show cross-linkages of one part to another. This helps visualise the connection among the various elements easily.
Process maps consist of concepts linked together by statements which summarise the process that connects them.  For example, the above concept map of cultural ecology says that the two processes linking culture and ecology occur-
  • ' through the invention of production systems for exploiting natural resources produced by solar and planetary economies to create goods and services and special social structure to ensure people go on consuming natural resources';
  • 'through environmental managment, plans for conserving natural resources that reduce the impact of human paroduction on solar and planetary economies'.
This arrangement is the same as the topic hierarchy map, but it it has been condensed to stress the dynamics.