What area of psychology does the cognitive approach focus on?

The cognitive approach in psychology primarily centers on understanding mental processes, particularly how people perceive, learn, remember, and think. This perspective emphasizes the internal processes of the mind, contrasting with behaviorist approaches that focus on observable behaviors. Cognitive psychologists investigate how individuals process information and how this processing affects their thoughts, decisions, and behaviors.

For example, cognitive theories explore how we interpret and store information, how we solve problems, and how our thought patterns can affect our emotions and actions. This focus on mental processes extends to areas such as language acquisition, memory, and problem-solving skills, making it a critical area in understanding human development and functioning throughout the lifespan.