cognitive map
Brain's spatial model
A cognitive map is a mental representation of physical space—how locations relate to each other, where things are, how to get from here to there.
The term extends to mental models of abstract relationships: She had a cognitive map of the company's power structure.
The concept comes from psychology, where researchers study how humans and animals navigate environments using internal spatial knowledge rather than external cues.
- mental mapInternalized spatial representation
- spatial memoryRecollection of layouts and positions
- spatial awarenessSense of physical positioning
- navigationDetermining position and course
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
sense of direction · getting lost · landmark · route · survey · hippocampus · place cells · orientation · territory · schema · representation · maze · rat · internal compass · bird's eye view · lay of the land · neighborhood · familiar
- diagramsflowchart, labeled diagram, Venn diagram, cross section, cross-section
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- spacesspace, alcove, compartment, corner, place
- thoughtsthought, idea, thoughts, ideas, thinking
- mental associationfree association, word association, mental association, mental link, connection
cognitive mapphysical map
Geography showing natural features
paper map · atlas · street map · topographic map · street sign
cognitive, cognition, cognize, cognizance, cognizant, incognito, recognize, recognition, recognizable