Glossary / Lexicon

Cognition refer to the processes or faculties by which knowledge is acquired and manipulated; the activity of knowing and the processes through which knowledge is acquired; thought or belief.

Cognition is the capacity for knowing, organizing perceptions, and problem solving. Moreover, Cognition is the part of the mental status examination that assesses the client’s orientation to time, place, and person; short- and long-term memory ; knowledge base and intellectual functioning; and insight and judgment.

Description

Cognition, in the psychology context, refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. It encompasses a wide range of functions, including perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognition is crucial for how we interpret and interact with the world around us, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Psychologists study cognition to understand how individuals learn, process information, and make sense of their environment.

Application Areas

• Educational psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Human factors and ergonomics
• Artificial intelligence

Treatment and Risks

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy for cognitive distortions
• Risks of cognitive decline with aging
• Individualized cognitive training programs
• Medication for cognitive enhancement or impairment
• Prevention of cognitive deficits through healthy lifestyle choices

Examples

• Problem-solving strategies
• Memory encoding and retrieval processes
• Language comprehension and production
• Decision-making under uncertainty
• Attentional processes and multi-tasking

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Mental processes
• Information processing
• Cognitive functions
• Thinking abilities
• Perceptual reasoning

Articles with 'Cognition' in the title

• Metacognition: Metacognition means thinking or awareness of one's own thoughts- awareness and knowledge of and control of one's cognitive abilities, and thoughts as shown by the intentional use of cognitive strategies in solving problems and the factors . . .
• Word recognition: Word recognition refers to the ability to read or pronounce a word- usually implies that the word is recognized immediately by sight and that the child does not need to apply word analysis skills

Summary

Cognition in psychology studies the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through various functions such as perception, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. It is essential for how individuals interpret and interact with their environment, influencing thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Psychologists apply cognitive theories and research in areas such as education, clinical practice, neuroscience, human factors, and artificial intelligence to improve understanding and enhance cognitive functioning in various contexts.

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