Edward Tolman's research on how rats performed in mazes provided powerful evidence suggesting that
A)the rats used insight to negotiate the maze
B)positive reinforcement produced better performance in the maze than negative reinforcement did
C)the rats had cognitive maps of the maze
D)the rats' behaviour was explained by standard behavioural learning principles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Edward Tolman's research is most famous for introducing the concept of cognitive maps. His studies with rats in mazes showed that the rats seemed to develop a mental representation of the maze's layout, which they used to navigate through it more efficiently over time, even without direct rewards at every turn. This suggested that learning could occur via internal processes, not just through external rewards and punishments, challenging the behaviorist perspective that dominated psychology at the time.

Edward Tolman's Research on How Rats Performed in Mazes Provided