What does the cognitive approach in psychology emphasize?

The cognitive approach in psychology emphasizes the mental processes involved in knowing, which includes aspects such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. This approach focuses on how people understand, diagnose, and respond to the world around them by processing information.

Cognitive psychologists investigate how individuals encode, store, and retrieve information, examining the internal mental functions that influence behavior and learning. This perspective is crucial in understanding how students with disabilities may process information differently, highlighting the importance of tailored instructional strategies that accommodate their specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

While physical interactions with the environment, social relationships, and emotional responses play significant roles in overall behavior and learning, they are typically not the primary focus of the cognitive approach. Instead, this approach provides insight into how people think and learn at a foundational level.