To be cognitive is to be able to think in processes centered around the use of logic, conceptualization, problem solving, and memory. 

Cognitive Background

It can be tricky to define cognitive without being overly complex. In the basic psychological terms, cognition, the state of being cognitive, is the process of thinking conceptually about something, and that ability to process knowledge when it has been acquired, and knowing how to apply it.

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the concept where individuals attempt to reconcile contrasting feelings with themselves by adhering to one perspective, even if that means using unhealthy rationalization.  Cognitive dissonance theory, one of the most important concepts in social psychology, seeks to explain human behavior based on these parameters.

Social Cognitive Theory

Social cognition, or social cognitive theory, is based on the idea that much of human knowledge is based on observation of the world and the intake of information in particular contexts balanced against a particular individual's overall cognitive capacity. 

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development theory is a discipline devoted to trying to understand child development though the conceptualization and cognitive processing.  Beginning initially with Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the discipline has grown and been widely studied as a way of informing and understanding childhood learning.

Cognitive Distortions

Cognitive distortions are irrational thought processes dictated by poor or abnormal cognitive processes, whose presence indicated a possible mental disorder.  A cognitive distortion is essentially a fallacy of logic that is informed by accurate processing of information, but emotional and behavior complications.

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive learning is the process of learning through techniques that rely on and try to reinforce cognitive thought.  In the eyes of general cognitive theory, those who are able to learn and process information cognitively are better suited to function in society and have better educational potential. 

Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive neuroscience is a multidisciplinary branch of cognitive psychology and neuroscience that looks to find physiological causes for either increased or decreased cognitive thought. 

Cognitive Ability

Cognitive ability are the assortment of processes that allow any individual to solve a problem or complete a task.  There are many important cognitive skills, all of which are informed by the various elements of cognitive thought. 

Cognitive Approach


The cognitive approach to psychology, or cognitive psychology, seeks to analyze and explain human behavior in terms of an individual's mental processes, or cognitive perspective.  By knowing the internal workings of the mind, a therapist understands what a patient experiences, what he learns, and how he uses what he learns.

Cognitive Linguistics

Cognitive linguistics is a branch of linguistics that views the understanding of language in conceptual terms.  Cognitive linguistics practices speech therapy and language education on the belief that most people conceptualize the same, but that the overall context of a language can be very different. 

Cognitive Thinking

Cognitive thinking is the general name given the concept of cognition.  To have effective cognitive thinking, one must be able to perform optimal cognitive processes, which allow an individual to both learn and apply their knowledge in effective ways.