Final answer:
The mental representation of an environment that is built as an organism learns more about it is called a cognitive map; a term that originated from studies by psychologist E.C. Tolman.
Step-by-step explanation:
As an organism begins to learn more about its environment, it constructs a cognitive map, which is a complex mental representation of the environment. This concept was described by psychologist E.C. Tolman, who observed that rats created a mental image or map of a maze they navigated through, which helped them perform tasks such as finding food. Similarly, humans build cognitive maps that help them navigate through complex environments like buildings, using landmarks and other notable features to orient themselves and remember routes.