The paper focuses on the sociological adaptation and development of the mental mapping method within the study of national identity. 'Mental map' is defined as a spatial image or model formed over time in the individual or collective consciousness, while the method of mental mapping is interpreted as a graphic representation of a certain area by an informant at the request of a researcher. The study is based on the empirical application of mental mapping to the analysis of national identity among Ukrainian students (n=942). The paper outlines methodological and theoretical specifics of mental mapping and indicates perspectives of this method in the context of a visual sociological paradigm.