What is the central idea of the cognitive approach to psychology?

The cognitive approach to psychology focuses on understanding the internal mental processes that affect how individuals perceive, think, remember, and solve problems. It posits that mental processes significantly influence behavior, suggesting that people's thoughts and interpretations of their experiences shape their actions. This approach emphasizes the importance of studying these cognitive processes to gain insight into human behavior, making it essential for understanding various psychological phenomena, such as decision-making, language acquisition, and memory.

In contrast to this perspective, other approaches either minimize the role of mental processes or emphasize different influences. For example, behaviorism, which is rooted in the idea of studying only observable behaviors, disregards internal thought processes entirely. The environmental perspective focuses primarily on how external factors shape behavior, while psychodynamic theories emphasize the role of unconscious desires. Therefore, the cognitive approach stands out by highlighting the active role of mental functions in guiding behavior.