Cognition refers to (1) the wide variety of mental entities we locate within the mind, including thoughts, meanings, ideas, attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, intentions, memories, images, dreams, states of mind, consciousness and subconsciousness, and (2) the operations of the mind, such as association, search, comparison, attention, and inference. Cognition is thinking. Ancient philosophers speculated on
Motivated Cognition Definition When people think and reason, they sometimes have a vested interest in the outcome of their thinking and reasoning. For example, people engage in wishful thinking about whether or not their favorite sports team will win, or whether a relative will survive a risky surgical procedure. In these situations, people may be
This article explores the intricate interplay between cognition and illness prevention behaviors within the realm of health psychology. Beginning with an overview of health psychology and the crucial role of cognition in shaping health-related decisions, the article delves into the cognitive processes influencing the perception of health threats. Examining models such as the Health Belief
The assessment of intelligence has a long and colorful history, and its development mirrors the development of psychology as a field. From the early work of Francis Galton and James McKean Cattell to the seminal contributions of Charles Spearman and David Wechsler to the contemporary work of Alan and Nadeen Kaufman, Jack Naglieri, and many
Need for Cognition Definition Need for cognition refers to an individual’s tendency to engage in and enjoy activities that require thinking (e.g., brainstorming puzzles). Some individuals have relatively little motivation for cognitively complex tasks. These individuals are described as being low in need for cognition. Other individuals consistently engage in and enjoy cognitively challenging activities
Interpersonal Cognition Definition Interpersonal cognition is the set of mental processes by which people think about their interactions and relationships with others. Research in the area of interpersonal cognition aims to understand how people perceive the many layers of information present in social interactions and how they process this information and store it in memory.
For thousands of years there has been philosophical debate about what it is that makes humans different from other species of animals on Earth. Whether one believes that humans are just another step in the evolutionary process or descended from aliens, there is no denying that humans are different from other animals. Although many aspects