Which of the following best describes the focus of the cognitive perspective?

The cognitive perspective primarily emphasizes how individuals process information and solve problems. This perspective asserts that mental processes, such as perception, memory, and reasoning, play a crucial role in understanding behavior. Cognitive psychologists study how people interpret and make sense of the world around them, which includes examining how they acquire, store, and utilize information.

This approach contrasts with other psychological perspectives. For instance, repression of memories relates more closely to psychodynamic theories, which focus on unconscious processes and emotional conflicts rather than cognitive functions. The biological perspective centers on the physiological aspects of behavior, linking mental activity to brain processes and neurotransmitter activity. Social learning theory, on the other hand, highlights the role of environmental influences and observational learning in behavior development rather than cognitive processing.

By focusing on the mechanisms of thought and the strategies used to solve problems, the cognitive perspective provides valuable insights into how knowledge is acquired and utilized effectively, which is central to understanding human behavior.