Distortions in Cognitive Maps

Cognitive maps refer to mental representations of maps or environments, as revealed in a variety of tasks. The simplest model of cognitive maps is that they are random degradations of real ones. Research using distance judgments, direction judgments, map recognition, map construction, and other information from memory for maps or environments suggests that distortions, rather than being random, are systematic. They result from cognitive organizing principles, such as hierarchical organization, perspective, reference points and frames, and other devices that facilitate memory and induce distortion at the same time. These distortions do not seem to be reconcilable in any simple way. There does not seem to be a single, coherent cognitive map that captures what we know about a particular map or environment.