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The Basic Cognitive Functions

Article · September 2023

DOI: 10.47991/ACRCR/2837-3642/100115

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Antonis Theofilidis
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 Antonis T (2023): 101-102
ISSN: 2837-3642 Anna Clin Rev Cas Rep: ACRCR-115
Doi: 10.47991/ACRCR/2837-3642/100115

Case Report Annals of Clinical Reviews & Case Reports

The Basic Cognitive Functions

Dr. Theofilidis Antonis
Clinical Neuropsychologist
*
Corresponding author: Theofilidis Antonis, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Githiou 1, Thessaloniki, Greece, GR 54124, Mobile:
+30 6978 802 810. Email: [email protected]

Citation: Antonis T (2023) The Basic Cognitive Functions. Anna Clin Rev Cas Rep: ACRCR-115.

Received Date: August 29, 2023; Accepted Date: September 02, 2023; Published Date: September 07, 2023

Abstract
The basic question of cognitive psychology is how a person acquires knowledge. On this issue, her basic position is that the
input and processing of information, which leads to learning and knowledge, follows a process similar to that of the processing
of food during the digestive process. With this processing knowledge is transformed and stored, to be activated when we need
it. This means that in order to transform information into knowledge, not only the senses mediate, which filter external stimuli,
but also some processing processes which transform data into knowledge. These processes are determined by cognitive
functions, i.e. perception, memory, language, thinking and problem solving.
Keywords: cognitive psychology, cognitive functions, perception, memory, language, thinking, problem solving.

Introduction the retina of the eye, smell is mediated by odor molecules, and
The basic question of cognitive psychology is how a person hearing includes pressure waves. Perception is not the passive
acquires knowledge. On this issue, her basic position is that the reception of these signals, but is shaped by learning, memory,
input and processing of information, which leads to learning and expectation, and attention [2]. Perception can be divided into
knowledge, follows a process similar to that of the processing of two processes. First, the processing of sensory information,
food during the digestive process. With this processing which converts this low-level information into higher-level
knowledge is transformed and stored, to be activated when we information (eg, extracting shapes from memory to recognize
need it. This means that in order to transform information into objects). Second, the processing is related to the concepts of the
knowledge, not only the senses mediate, which filter external individual, his expectations (knowledge) and his selective
stimuli, but also some processing processes which transform mechanisms (attention) and their influence. Perception depends
data into knowledge. These processes are determined by on its complex functions nervous system, but subjectively it
cognitive functions, i.e. perception, memory, language, thinking seems mostly effortless, because this processing takes place
and problem solving. Cognitive psychology considers that in outside the conscious consciousness [2]. Psychologists usually
order to study learning we must study in detail the distinguish between sensation and perception. The senses are
transformation of information into knowledge, i.e. the phases of inexplicable sensory impressions created by the detection of
cognitive information processing, and places its weight on the environmental stimuli, while perception refers to the set of
study of specific cognitive functions. It contributes significantly processes by which the senses make sense. Perception enables
to the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science while sharing the individual to literally navigate through the world, avoiding
the same object of study, from a different perspective, with risk, decision-making, and preparation for action. Visual
artificial intelligence. perception has received the most attention from researchers,
followed by speech perception [3].
The Cognitive functions
Mind is the psychic energy or process of acquiring knowledge Memory
and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses Memory is the process by which information is encoded, stored,
[1]. It includes processes such as knowledge, attention, memory, and retrieved. Coding allows information from the outside world
judgment and evaluation, logic and problem solving and to be detected in the form of chemical and physical stimuli. In
decision making, comprehension and production of language, the first stage, the information must be changed so that it can be
etc. The human cognitive function is conscious and put into the coding process [4]. Storage is the second stage of
unconscious, solid or abstract, as well as intuitive (such as memory or process. This means that the information is kept for
language knowledge) and conceptual (as a model of a language). a short time. Finally, the third process is to recover the stored
Cognitive processes use existing knowledge and produce new information. This information must be found and returned to
knowledge. consciousness. Some recovery efforts may be easy due to the
type of information, as some other efforts to recover mortgaged
Perception information may be more demanding for a variety of reasons [4].
Perception (from the Latin perceptio, percipio) is the From the point of view of information processing, there are three
organization, recognition, and interpretation of sensory main stages in the formation and recovery of memory:
information in order to represent and understand the • Coding or recording: receiving, processing and combining
environment [2]. Perception includes signals of the nervous information received.
system which are the result of physical or chemical stimulation • Storage: creating a permanent file of encrypted information in
of the sense organs [2]. For example, vision includes light hitting short-term or long-term memory

Anna Clin Rev Cas Rep, 2023 ISSN: 2837-3642 Page: 1 of 2

Citation: Antonis T (2023) The Basic Cognitive Functions. Anna Clin Rev Cas Rep: ACRCR-115.
• Retrieval, recall, or recollection: recalling stored information imaging techniques. The discipline of linguistics dedicated to
in response to a stimulus for use in a process or activity [4] the study of the neurological aspects of language is called
neurolinguistics [9].
Neuroscientists consider memory, preservation, reactivation,
and reconstruction of experience as independent internal Thought-Problem Solving
representations. The term internal representation implies that Problem solving consists of the use of general or ad hoc
this definition of memory includes two components: the methods, in methodical ways, to find solutions to problems.
expression of memory at the behavioral or conscious level, as Some of the problem-solving techniques developed and used in
well as theoretical physical neural changes (Kim & Linden, the fields of artificial intelligence, computer science,
2007). The last element is also called a mnemonic letter or engineering, mathematics, or medicine are related to mental
mnemonic trace. Some neuroscientists and psychologists problem-solving techniques studied in psychology. Gestaltists'
erroneously equate the concept of literacy and memory, early experimental work in Germany marked the beginning of
generally perceiving the persistent after-effects of experiences the problem-solving study (e.g., Karl Duncker in 1935 with his
as memory, while others argue against the notion that memory book The Psychology of Productive Thought). Later this
does not exist until it is revealed in behavior or thought [5]. experimental work continued until the 1960s and early 1970s
with research conducted in simple problem-solving laboratory
Attention tasks [10]. By choosing simple problems / puzzles to solve in a
Attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively specific way and in the short time available for solving, this
focusing on a distinct aspect of information, whether judged method made it possible for researchers to identify the steps of
subjectively or objectively, ignoring other perceptual the participants in the problem-solving process. Simple
information. Attention has also been reported as the allocation problems were used for convenience, with the expectation that
of limited processing resources [6]. Attention remains an generalized languages could be applied to more complex
important area of research in education, psychology, problems, problem solving would be possible. Other experts
neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. have shown that the principle of decomposition improves the
Areas of active research include identifying the source of problem-solving ability to make good judgment.
sensory stimuli that produce attention, the effects of these
stimuli and messages about the coordinating properties of References
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