Chapter 1. Cognitive Mapping

1.1 Introduction

Perry Thorndyke has performed a number of studies of human spatial abilities as determined by map-reading abilities. In his experiment on cognitive mapping, Thorndyke (1981) was concerned with human beings’ ability to estimate distance. Scholars dating back to Ptolemy in the second century have speculated that “clutter,” or intervening locations between two points, leads to increased distance estimates. This has been put forth as an explanation for phenomena other than map reading. Ptolemy used it to attempt to explain the three-dimensional “moon illusion.” Thorndyke (1981) deals with this topic as it relates to the perception of distance in two dimensions. The topic of cognitive mapping is as old as the field of psychology. The individual considered by many to be the father of modern cognitive psychology, Edward Tolman, had an interest in the topic and showed that nonhuman research subjects’ ability to navigate in three dimensions supported his theory of purposive behaviorism.

Thorndyke, P. W. (1981). Distance estimation from cognitive maps. Cognitive Psychology, 13, 526-550.

Gibson, E. J., & Bergman, R. (1954) The effect of training on absolute estimation of distance over the ground. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 48, 473-482.

Kosslyn, S., Pick, H. L., & Fariello, G. (1974) Cognitive maps in children and men. Child Development, 45, 707-716.

1.2 Experiment Setup

Figure 1.1

1.3 Instructions

You will need to press the space bar to begin the experiment. A two-dimensional map diagram will then be displayed. Please study the map for the 2 minutes that it is presented to you. Take note of the details on the map, as you will be asked to draw the map from memory (or to identify the neighboring towns for each of the towns on the map, depending on the group you are in).

1.4 Experiment

Figure 1.2

1.5 Results

Figure 1.3

1.6 Quiz