Cognitive View, Tolman-Cognitive Map

I would like to start this blog with the definition of cognitivism, which is a learning theory that focuses on "how information is received, organized, stored, and retrieved by the mind."  Per Tolman, a cognitive map, which is an internal representation (or image) of external environmental feature or landmark.
My assumptions are based on personal experiences and job experiences.  I work in a class setting everyday as a TSS, Therapeutic Staff Support with children that have mental and behavioral disabilities.  I use rewards as reinforcements for my client to stay focused, complete assignments, and maintain good behavior.  Often I find that the client is capable of doing the work but they get dependent on the rewards and will start asking for the reward before they complete the work.  However, there are students that come to class daily and complete their assignments without any reinforcements.  Those students are motivated to learn and complete assignments. 
The cognitive map is something we use constantly without awareness.  I will give an example, I got a phone call to meet a friend at Pizza Hut.  Here are the questions that entered my mind:

• Which Pizza Hut?
• Where are the Pizza Hut restaurants in the area?

My mind began mapping out routes to the Pizza Hut before she told me which one.  When she responded my mind started mapping out directions from previous memories.