Biography of Edward C. Tolman

Biography of Edward C. Tolman More in Psychology History and Biographies Psychotherapy Basics Student Resources Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming Edward C. Tolman is best-known for cognitive behaviorism, his research on cognitive maps, the theory of latent learning and the concept of an intervening variable. Tolman was born on  April 14, 1886, and died on  November 19, 1959. What Is Cognitive Behaviorism? Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). You work with a mental health counselor (psychotherapist or therapist) in a structured way, attending a limited number of sessions. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. CBT can be a very helpful tool in treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. It can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations. Early Life of Edward C. Tolman Tolman originally started his academic life studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After reading William James Principles of Psychology, he decided to shift his focus to the study of psychology. He enrolled at Harvard where he worked in Hugo Munsterbergs lab. In addition to being influenced by James, he also later said that his work was heavily influenced by Kurt Koffka and Kurt Lewin. He graduated with a Ph.D. in 1915. Tolmans Career and Contributions to Psychology Tolman is perhaps best-known for his work with rats and mazes. Tolmans work challenged the behaviorist notion that all behavior and learning is a result of the basic stimulus-response pattern. In a classic experiment, rats practiced a maze for several days. Then, the familiar path they normally took was blocked. According to the behaviorist view, the rats had simply formed associations about which behaviors were reinforced and which were not. Instead, Tolman discovered that the rats had formed a mental map of the maze, allowing them to choose a novel path to lead them to the reward. His theory of latent learning suggests that learning occurs even if no reinforcement is offered. Latent learning is not necessarily apparent at the time, but that appears later in situations where it is needed. Tolmans concepts of latent learning and cognitive maps helped pave the way for the rise of cognitive psychology. Tolmans Awards and Distinctions In 1937, Tolman was named President of the American Psychological Association.In 1940, he became the chairman of the Lewins Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.In 1949, he was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.In 1957, he received a special award from the APA for his contributions to science.