cognitive psychology

American  

noun

1. the branch of psychology studying the mental processes involved in perception, learning, memory, and reasoning.

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cognitive psychology British  

noun

1. the psychological study of higher mental processes, including thinking and perception

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Etymology

Origin of cognitive psychology

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cognitive psychology

This is sometimes called the “desirable difficulty” principle, and it’s one of the most robust findings in cognitive psychology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

We employ models from social and cognitive psychology to understand how attitudes are formed and the role emotions play.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024

The Psychology of Memory uses research based on cognitive psychology to increase understanding of all types of memory and their impact.

From Science Daily ● May 1, 2024

“Showcase how your start-up combines A.I. with other fields, such as cognitive psychology, linguistics or neuroscience, to create innovative solutions,” ChatGPT said.

From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2023

Working with him was Broadbent, who at seventeen had observed pilot error in the RAF, and who was on his way to becoming a godfather of cognitive psychology.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel