Edward Tolman's research on the formation of cognitive maps in rats was important because it:
A) demonstrated that learning is based on stimulus-response association.
B) emphasized the importance of studying the role of internal representations in learning.
C) enabled him to devise a comprehensive mathematical model of animal learning.
D) demonstrated the importance of insight in learning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tolman's research was pivotal in showing that rats could form mental representations of their environment, which suggested that learning could involve internal processes and not just external stimulus-response associations. This emphasized the role of cognitive processes in learning, challenging behaviorist views that were dominant at the time.

Edward Tolman's Research on the Formation of Cognitive Maps in Rats