Cognitive map - THERMODYNAMICS

       

         

       

   

COGNITIVE MAP

INTRODUCTION

The idea of cognitive map originates from the work of the psychologist Edward Tolman, who is famous for his studies of how rats learned to navigate mazes. In psychology, it has a strong spatial connotation- cognitive maps usually refer to the representation of a space (e.g., a maze) in the brain. Cognitive maps have since been used in a range of fields; Colin Eden, an operations researcher, used the term in a broader sense to refer to a mental model representation of any type of process or concept (whether spatial or not). 

Cognitive maps can be defined as mental images and concepts that are built to visualize and assimilate information. They are also referred to as mental maps, mind maps, schemata, and frames of reference. They act as tools for strategists to move beyond the constraints of short-term memory and to process information spanning long periods of time. The mind creates spatial concepts in order to make sense of incoming information.

Advantages

·         The process organizes complex information into manageable portions.

·         It simplifies knowledge, increases memory, and improves cognition where cognition is understood to be the mental act or process by which knowledge is acquired, including perception, intuition, and reasoning.

·         As a fundamental mental process, it acts as a coping mechanism under conditions of uncertainty.

·         It is also essential in environments where strategic decisions are made in rapidly shifting economic environments.

·         The method is applied equally effectively for nonvisual tasks, such as memorizing lists, code, names, and other textual information.

PREPARATION OF COGNITIVE MAP

 

Topic selected     

                        Thermodynamics from xii standard Physics textbook.

                        The unit deals with system and its three types, surroundings, the three laws of thermodynamics, different thermodynamic processes, extensive and intensive properties and carnot engine.

Method adopted

                        The app which I used to prepare the map id Mimind.

Main points included

• system, its different types (open, closed and isolated)
• surroundings
• laws of thermodynamics (zeroth, first and second laws)
• enthalpy
• internal energy
• extensive properties
• intensive properties
• thermodynamic processes ( isothermal, isobaric, isochoric and adiabatic)
• carnot engine