What do cognitive psychologists typically study?

Cognitive psychologists focus on understanding the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension. This includes a wide range of cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, perception, problem-solving, language, and decision-making. By examining how people process information, they aim to understand how these thought processes influence behavior and how individuals interact with their environment mentally.

This focus differentiates cognitive psychology from other areas of psychology that may emphasize different aspects of human experience. For example, observable behaviors and responses belong more to the realm of behaviorism, which studies actions that can be measured objectively, while unconscious impulses and drives are central to psychodynamic approaches that explore the influence of unconscious motives. Additionally, the biological perspective examines the physiological aspects of behavior, such as genetic and neural factors. Cognitive psychology stands out by concentrating specifically on the intricacies of mental functioning and how those inner processes shape our actions and experiences.