Cognition: GCSE Psychology Definition

What is Cognition?

In GCSE psychology, cognition refers to conscious and unconscious mental processes, including language, memory, and perception. The development of knowledge and understanding through the senses, thought, and experience is how these mental processes are acquired. 

For example, Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception (a mental process) argues that we interpret the world around us by building our perceptions based on incoming visual cues and by using our previous experiences of the world.

A further example comes from Piaget’s theory of language (a mental process). He argued that children develop language by matching the correct words to their existing knowledge and experiences of the world. Piaget agued that thought and understanding come first, then language develops after. 

Cognition Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

You can use the Save My Exams revision notes to revise Gregory’s theory of perception, Piaget’s theory of language and thought, and cognitive development to further your understanding of cognitive psychology. 

Explore Our GCSE Psychology Revision Resources