Final answer:
The correct statement illustrating E.C. Tolman's work is that rats can learn a maze without reinforcement, representing the concept of latent learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
E.C. Tolman's work on latent learning is best illustrated by the statement: b. Rats can learn a maze in the absence of reinforcement. In Tolman's experiments, rats were placed in a maze with no reward for finding their way through it. Despite not receiving reinforcement, the rats developed a cognitive map of the maze. When food was finally placed at the end of the maze, the rats were able to quickly navigate through it, demonstrating that they had learned the maze even without reinforcement.
The statement that best illustrates E.C. Tolman's work on latent learning is: Rats can learn a maze in the absence of reinforcement. Tolman's experiments with rats in mazes showed that they developed a cognitive map of the maze even without receiving a reward. Only when a reward was introduced after several trials did the rats quickly demonstrate their knowledge of the maze, thereby proving the concept of latent learning, which is learning that occurs without reinforcement but is not demonstrated until there is a reason to do so.