You spend days wandering aimlessly around a park with many different paths that end at different parts of the park. One day when you arrive at the park you get a call on your cell phone from your cousin whom you haven't seen for years, and she says she is waiting for you in a particular section of the park. Even though the paths are complicated and twisted, you manage to find the shortest route to your cousin. Tolman would explain your efficient passage through the park as an example of:
A) insight.
B) the formation of a cognitive map.
C) unconscious trial-and-error imagery.
D) spontaneous recovery.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tolman's theory of cognitive maps suggests that we create mental representations of physical environments, which allow us to efficiently navigate through them. In this scenario, the protagonist has likely formed a cognitive map of the park, and was able to use it to find the shortest route to their cousin's location.

You Spend Days Wandering Aimlessly Around a Park with Many