"A cognitive map is a type of mental representation which serves an individual to acquire, code, store, recall, and decode information about the relative locations and attributes of phenomena in their everyday or metaphorical spatial environment."
These are maps drawn from memory and reflect individual's thoughts, experiences, and perceptions of their surroundings.
Geography: Understanding the physical characteristics and layout of a place is fundamental to mental mapping as it provides a framework for organizing spatial information.
Perception: The way individuals perceive and interpret space affects how they represent it in their mental maps.
Memory: The ability to recall and retain spatial information is essential to mental mapping as it reflects how individuals construct their maps.
Navigation: Understanding the ways in which individuals orient themselves in space provides insights into how mental maps guide people through their environment.
Cognitive psychology: Mental mapping involves complex cognitive processes such as attention, perception, memory, and executive function, all of which are shaped by the principles of cognitive psychology.
Technology: Today's technologies, such as GPS systems, virtual reality, and online mapping platforms, have changed how people create and use mental maps.
Culture: Cultural differences influence how people perceive and represent space, so studying the cultural context of mental mapping provides important insights into how people make sense of their environment.
Human-environment interaction: Mental mapping reflects the way people interact with their environment, so studying this relationship can reveal insights into how users perceive and use their mental maps.
Philosophy: The nature of mental maps raises important philosophical questions such as whether they are objective representations of space or subjective constructions.
Design: Understanding principles of cartographic design such as scale, orientation, and projection are critical to creating effective mental maps for navigation and communication.
Cognitive Maps: These maps are mental representations of the environment that individuals possess in the sum total of their spatial knowledge.
Conceptual Maps: These maps are used to illustrate the relationships between concepts, ideas, and knowledge.
Mind Maps: Mind maps are visual representations that help people organize ideas in a hierarchical manner.
Mental Navigation Maps: These maps are used to describe the mental processes that occur during navigation.
Imaginary Maps: These maps are mental constructs that depict nonexistent places, such as imaginary cities or worlds.
Geographic Mental Maps: These maps represent one's knowledge of the geographic location of physical spaces and landmarks.
Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers are tools that facilitate the comprehension and retention of complex information.
Flow Charts: These charts are used to represent the sequential process of a decision-making algorithm, and it is an excellent tool for mental planning.
Decision Trees: These maps are used to present decisions and their possible consequences visually.
Story Maps: They help explorers, campers, and backpackers visualize their adventures and share their experience with others. It includes a sequence of events or points of interest shown on a map.
"The concept was introduced by Edward Tolman in 1948."
"He tried to explain the behavior of rats that appeared to learn the spatial layout of a maze."
"The concept was applied to other animals, including humans."
"The term was later generalized by some researchers, especially in the field of operations research, to refer to a kind of semantic network representing an individual's personal knowledge or schemas."