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 mobile 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)higher-order conditioning

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tolman's theory of cognitive maps suggests that humans are able to mentally represent and navigate their environment. This mental representation allows for efficient and effective navigation, even when presented with unfamiliar or complicated routes. The fact that the individual in the scenario was able to find the shortest route to their cousin's location suggests the use of a cognitive map. Insight (A) refers to sudden and sometimes novel problem-solving that involves a restructuring of perceptions or understanding, which does not apply here. Unconscious trial-and-error imagery (C) and higher-order conditioning (D) do not explain the individual's efficient passage through the park.

You Spend Days Wandering Aimlessly Around a Park with Many