What is the definition of cognitive psychology?

Cognitive psychology is defined as the study of mental processes, including how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems. This definition captures the essence of the field, which focuses on understanding the internal processes that influence behavior and how individuals interpret and respond to the world around them.

The emphasis on mental processes distinguishes cognitive psychology from approaches that focus solely on observable behaviors or physiological responses. By prioritizing how we acquire, process, and store information, cognitive psychology seeks to uncover the mechanisms underlying various cognitive functions. This understanding is crucial not only for theoretical perspectives but also for practical applications in areas like education, therapy, and artificial intelligence, where cognition plays a key role.

In contrast, other choices focus on aspects that do not encapsulate the breadth of cognitive functions. For instance, studying external behaviors or physiological responses limits the scope to what can be directly observed without addressing the intricate mental activities that contribute to those behaviors. Similarly, the study of social interactions, while important, pertains more to social psychology than the deep inner workings of the mind that cognitive psychology seeks to explore.