Which learning concept involves a mental representation of the layout of one's environment?

The correct answer is cognitive maps, which refer to the mental representations individuals create to understand and navigate their environment. Cognitive maps allow people to visualize spatial relationships and locations, facilitating navigation and understanding of the layout of their surroundings. This concept plays a crucial role in cognitive psychology, as it illustrates how individuals acquire, process, and use spatial information to interact with their world effectively.

For example, someone might develop a cognitive map of their neighborhood by visualizing the arrangement of streets, homes, and landmarks, which assists in planning routes and understanding distances. This ability is part of our broader cognitive skills, highlighting how we interpret and make sense of our environment beyond mere instinctual behavior or learned responses. In contrast, the other options involve different aspects of learning and behavior, such as innate tendencies or learned behaviors through observation, which do not directly pertain to the mental mapping of spatial layouts.