Cognition refers to the set of mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding. It includes perception, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Cognition is what allows us to interpret the world, learn from experience, and plan for the future. For example, solving a puzzle involves attention (focusing on details), memory (recalling strategies), and reasoning (figuring out patterns).
Research into cognition explores both normal functioning and disorders that impair it, such as dementia or brain injury. It highlights the complexity of the human mind and the interconnectedness of mental processes.