Abstract: The cognitive mapping technique, including eliciting and analyzing techniques, represents a collective term for a set of techniques which allow the researcher to obtain graphical representations of individual understanding of a particular domain. This paper elaborated its concept and principle and presented general steps of this technique through an example of shared mental models. And then we introduced its application in management psychology. It is essential that future studies pay more attention to the study of its theory, application, and software in depth given the existing problems of the technique.

Key words: cognitive maps, cognitive eliciting technique, cognitive analyzing technique, management psychology