Exploring How We Think

The cognitive approach examines how people perceive, remember, solve problems, and make decisions. It sees the mind as an information processor—like a computer—constantly taking in and interpreting data from the world.

Core Ideas

• Schemas: Mental frameworks that organize our knowledge and help us interpret new information.
• Memory Models: Theories like the multi-store model explain how information is stored and retrieved.
• Cognitive Biases: Systematic errors in thinking, such as confirmation bias, impact how we judge situations.

Applications

Cognitive psychology informs educational practices and therapy, helping people understand and change unhelpful thinking patterns.

Everyday Relevance

From remembering a shopping list to solving a tricky puzzle, cognitive processes are part of our daily lives.