Cognitive

Definition

Cognitive refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding, including thinking, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːɡnɪtɪv/
• Respelling: KAHG-ni-tiv

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/
• Respelling: KOG-ni-tiv

Etymology

The word "cognitive" originates from the Latin word "cognoscere," meaning "to know" or "to learn." It entered the English language in the 16th century, with roots in Latin and French, evolving to mean the mental processes related to knowledge and comprehension.

Derivatives

• Cognition (noun)
• Cognitively (adverb)
• Cognizant (adjective)
• Metacognitive (adjective)
• Recognize (verb)

Synonyms

• Mental
• Intellectual
• Perceptual

Antonyms

• None
• None
• None

Usage

The adjective "cognitive" is commonly used in academic, psychological, and scientific contexts to describe mental functions such as learning, reasoning, and memory. For example, "The research focused on the cognitive abilities of children," or "The injury affected his cognitive skills." It is also widely used in discussions related to cognitive science and cognitive psychology.

Related Terms

• Cognitive Science: The interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence, involving psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics.
• Cognitive Bias: A systematic error in thinking that affects decision-making.
• Perception: The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information to understand the environment.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Relating to mental processes of acquiring knowledge and understanding: Refers to the cognitive abilities involved in tasks like learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
  • Example: "The experiment measured the cognitive development of young children."