Structure of decision: The cognitive maps of political elites
Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, (1976)Abstract
Structure of Decision is an edited volume of chapters assembled by Robert Axelrod about the importance of 'cognitive maps' of political elites in various decision-making settings. Cognitive maps are representations of the causal beliefs of individual decision makers. Much of the book deals with the methods used to estimate cognitive maps and to analyze them. There are several chapters authored by the editor, one of which deals with an empirical case study of the decisions of the 'Persian Committee' of the British government. There is an excellent chapter by Ole Holsti about when cognitive maps of individuals are likely to matter in foreign policy decision making.