Cognitive mapping refers to the mental representation or internal organization of spatial information in a person's mind. It involves how individuals perceive, remember, and process information about their environment, including location, direction, and distance between places. Cognitive mapping can be used to understand how people navigate and interact with their surroundings, as well as how they form mental models of space and place. This research area is often studied in fields such as psychology, geography, neuroscience, and urban planning to better understand human cognition and behavior in spatial contexts.