Have you ever heard the terms cognitive psychology or cognitive function and wondered what the word cognitive meant? This article will teach you about the meaning of cognitive and other topics related to the word cognitive, such as synonyms and antonyms, sentence examples, and its origin.
Keep reading to learn all about the meaning of cognitive so you can start using this new word!
What Does the Word Cognitive Mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary, cognitive is an adjective that means pertaining to brain function and cognition. If something is cognitive in nature, it pertains to judgment, reasoning, memory, and perception. Cognitive is three syllables — cog-ni-tive — and the pronunciation of cognitive is ˈkɑɡnɪtɪv.
What Is the Origin of Cognitive?
According to Dictionary, the word cognitive has been used since Middle English in the 1580s. This term comes from the Medieval Latin cognitīvus, the perfect passive participle of cognosco and a combination of the Latin cognitus with the Latin suffix īvus or ivus.
How Can I Use Cognitive in a Sentence?
Cognitive is an adjective that refers to things that pertain to the brain. By studying the examples below, you can learn how to incorporate the word cognitive into your vocabulary.
After you study these sentences, try coming up with your own example sentences that contain the word cognitive:
He suffered from cognitive impairment and a lack of judgment from his brain injury. In addition, his executive function and the part of mental functions concerned with forming tasks was affected by the lack of blood flow to the frontal lobe.
The young child was assessed for her immense cognitive ability, and her cognitive processing levels were off the charts. Since she was so far ahead for a child’s cognitive development, her parents placed her in an advanced early childhood program where she would have a harder time than in normal elementary school.
His cognitive decline and early onset dementia began in his late sixties, along with the onset of diabetes, muscle atrophy, and obesity. As a result, he found it tough to relate to older adults and colleagues who did not experience these new things.
His cognitive perception of logic was incredibly advanced, but his mental processes of perception of emotions were lacking. People were surprised by how his cognitive mechanisms could solve complex situations with logical thinking but could not understand behavior.
The study found that genes and other lifestyle factors like physical exercise played into different aspects of cognition. In addition, they found that mental action in daily life was just as important as physical daily activities. They also discovered that environmental factors could cause disorders with neural circuitry that could lead to cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s disease.
She had a passion for the study of cognition and cognitive neuroscience. From her viewpoint, any person could be as philosophically intelligent as John Locke or Aristotle if they could unlock the power of their neurons.
What Are Translations of Cognitive?
If you are going to discuss cognitive function or ability with someone who does not speak English, you can reference this list of cognitive translations from Nice Translator. If you need to communicate about cognitive ability or cognitive processing in another language, this list has got you covered.
- Lithuanian: pažinimas
- Portuguese (Brazil): cognitivo
- Serbian: когнитиван
- Ukrainian: когнітивний
- Swedish: kognitiv
- Amharic: የእውቀት (ኮግኒቲቭ)
- Dutch: cognitief
- Latvian: izziņa
- Greek: γνωστική
- Bulgarian: когнитивно
- Italian: cognitivo
- Chinese (PRC): 认知的
- Catalan: cognitiu
- Gujarati: જ્ઞાનાત્મક
- Hebrew: קוגניטיבי
- Arabic: الإدراكي
- Chinese (Taiwan): 認知的
- Slovenian: kognitivno
- Russian: познавательный
- German: kognitiv
- Estonian: kognitiivne
- Spanish: cognitivo
- Tamil: அறிவாற்றல்
- Indonesian: kognitif
- Czech: poznávací
- Malayalam: കോഗ്നിറ്റീവ്
- Malay: kognitif
- Finnish: kognitiivinen
- Korean: 인지
- Basque: kontrako
- Slovak: poznávacie
- Vietnamese: nhận thức
- Marathi: संज्ञानात्मक
- Croatian: kognitivni
- Polish: kognitywny
- Japanese: 認知
- French: cognitif
- Norwegian: kognitiv
- Bengali: জ্ঞান ভিত্তিক
- Portuguese (Portugal): cognitivo
- Telugu: కాగ్నిటివ్
- Icelandic: vitræna
- Hungarian: kognitív
- Urdu: سنجیدگی سے
- Welsh: gwybyddol
- Kannada: ಅರಿವಿನ
- Turkish: bilişsel
- Thai: เกี่ยวกับความรู้ความเข้าใจ
- Hindi: संज्ञानात्मक
- Danish: kognitivt
- Swahili: utambuzi
What Are Synonyms of the Word Cognitive?
Cognitive has a scientific connotation. If you are looking for a word with the same meaning as the word cognitive with a different connotation, you can reference this list of synonyms of cognitive from Power Thesaurus.
Learning synonyms of the word cognitive is a great way to expand your English vocabulary.
- ability
- abstract
- academic
- analytical
- brain
- cerebral
- cognition
- cognoscible
- commonsensical
- conceptual
- consequent
- consistent
- deductive
- discerning
- emotional
- enlightened
- excogitating
- experimental
- far-sighted
- in the mind
- inner
- intellective
- intellectual
- intelligent
- judicious
- knowing
- levelheaded
- logical
- mental
- noetic
- perceiving
- percipient
- perspicacious
- philosophic
- practical
- prudent
- psychiatric
- psychic
- psychical
- psychogenic
- psychologic
- psychological
- ratiocinative
- rational
- reasonable
- reasoned
- reasoning
- reflective
- sagacious
- sane
- sensible
- spiritual
- subconscious
- subjective
- tenable
- theoretical
- thinking
- thought-out
- unconscious
- well-advised
What Are Antonyms of the Word Cognitive?
For words that do not relate to the brain but instead relate to things that are physical, check out this list of antonyms of cognitive from Power Thesaurus. By studying antonyms of the word cognition, you can better understand the meaning of the word cognitive.
- actual
- aerophysical
- animal
- bodily
- brute
- carnal
- checkup
- concrete
- corporeal
- earthly
- exam
- examination
- fleshly
- forcible
- health examination
- heavy
- human
- in the flesh
- incarnate
- labor-intensive
- made flesh
- manual
- material
- materialistic
- mortal
- mundane
- natural
- nonspiritual
- palpable
- personal
- physical examination
- physically
- physiologic
- physiological
- real
- secular
- sensible
- sensual
- sexual
- solid
- somatic
- strong-arm
- substantial
- tactile
- tangible
- temporal
- terrestrial
- touchable
- violent
- visible
- worldly
Conclusion
The word cognitive means relating to the brain or the brain’s processes. The word cognitive is an adjective that is largely used in scientific settings. The word cognitive is Latin in origin.
Sources:
- Cognitive synonyms – 249 Words and Phrases for Cognitive | Power Thesaurus
- Physical synonyms – 983 Words and Phrases for Physical | Power Thesaurus
- Cognitive definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
- Cognitive | Nice Translator
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do’s and don’ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Author:
Mark Sanchez
Date Of Creation:
28 January 2021
Update Date:
12 April 2023
Content
- What is Cognitive:
- Cognitive paradigm
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
What is Cognitive:
The meaning of the term cognitive is related to the knowledge acquisition process(cognition) through the information received by the environment, learning.
The word cognitive derives from Latin I will know, What does it mean know. Cognition involves many factors such as thinking, language, perception, memory, reasoning, attention, problem solving, decision making, etc., which are part of intellectual development and experience.
Cognitive psychology, within the cognitive sciences, is related to the study of mental processes that influence the behavior of each individual and intellectual development. According to the Swiss thinker, psychologist, biologist and epistemologist Jean Piaget, intellectual activity is linked to the functioning of the organism itself, to the biological evolution of each person.
See also Cognitivism.
Cognitive paradigm
The cognitive theory or cognitive paradigm created by Piaget maintains that the construction of each human being is a process that occurs during the development of a person in their childhood. The process is divided into four phases:
- Sensory-motor (0-2 years): the child uses his senses (which are in full development) and motor skills to know what surrounds him;
- Preoperative (2-7 years): it is characterized by the internalization of the reactions of the previous stage, giving rise to mental actions that are not yet categorized as operations due to their vagueness, inadequacy or lack of reversibility;
- Operative-concrete (8-11 years): refers to the logical operations used for solving problems;
- Operative-formal (from 12 years to 16 years on average): the child or adult can formulate really abstract thoughts, or a hypothetical deductive type of thinking.
See also Cognitive and Cognitive Paradigm.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive therapy is an area of study on the influence of thought on a person’s behavior. The union of the two concepts created cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), applied to psychotherapy.
1
: of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)
2
: based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge
Did you know?
Cognitive skills and knowledge involve the ability to acquire factual information, often the kind of knowledge that can easily be tested. So cognition should be distinguished from social, emotional, and creative development and ability. Cognitive science is a growing field of study that deals with human perception, thinking, and learning.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts called by Paltrow’s side testified that brain scans suggest Sanderson’s cognitive abilities began to decline years before the crash with Paltrow.
—Sam Metz, ajc, 30 Mar. 2023
According to the researchers, this finding suggests a need to better detect and evaluate developmental concerns beyond cognitive ability.
—Deidre Mcphillips, CNN, 23 Mar. 2023
Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the memory, behavior and cognitive skills of those living with it.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023
With the help of this adaptogen, stress can be managed, energy levels can be maintained, hormonal balance can be restored and cognitive performance can be improved — all without causing any issues or side effects.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2023
While tool use may seem mundane, scientists actually regard it as a sign of higher cognitive ability.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Mar. 2023
Recent research has found that intellectual tenacity – habits relating to persistence, initiative, and achievement – matter at least as much in the labor market as cognitive and technical skills.
—Zenger News, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Adaptogenic herbs are said to reduce stress, promote cognitive function, and boost the immune system,1 but research on these herbs is limited in the United States.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 29 Mar. 2023
Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible disease that causes increasing cognitive decline, memory loss and behavioral changes throughout its course.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘cognitive.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin cognitīvus «concerned with knowing,» from Latin cognitus, past participle of cognōscere «to get to know, acquire knowledge of» + -īvus -ive — more at cognition
First Known Use
1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cognitive was
in 1586
Dictionary Entries Near cognitive
Cite this Entry
“Cognitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on cognitive
Last Updated:
8 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
British cognitive psychologist Ros Crawley comments: «The idea that women become forgetful and absentminded during pregnancy has become a stereotype in our society, but my own studies have found very little difference in cognitive function between women who are or are not pregnant.» ❋ Unknown (2010)
Though Freud’s waning prestige has weakened tendencies to assume that he had somehow demonstrated the reality of unconscious intentionality, the rise of cognitive science has created a new climate of educated opinion that also takes elaborate non-conscious mental machinations for granted ” the ˜cognitive unconscious.™ ❋ Siewert, Charles (2006)
The term «cognitive dissonance» was first applied to this stance — in which bare fact cannot undermine strong contrary belief. ❋ Tristan Sturm (2011)
It was he who, back in the 1970s, coined the term «cognitive neuroscience»—with colleague George Miller—in the back seat of a New York taxi. ❋ Raymond Tallis (2011)
The term cognitive dysfunction covers the entire range of mental faculties from memory to abstract thinking and judgment. ❋ Unknown (2008)
Dude, should the term cognitive dissonance mean anything to us? ❋ Unknown (2007)
This is where the term cognitive dissonance has the possibity to fall flat on its face — at least when the concept is misused deliberately or accidentally as is the case when trying to apply cognitive dissonance to the subject of Man-made global warming. ❋ Unknown (2010)
We see what we call cognitive constriction within the clinical field, which is — it’s sort of like tunnel vision, an inability to solve problems and to kind of think of options and select a solution that would be optimal. ❋ Unknown (2010)
�He says these findings fit with what researchers have theorized for a while now — mentally engaged people build up what he calls a cognitive reserve that may help them compensate when the initial damage of Alzheimer’s — including a buildup of plaques and tangles in the brain — start to develop. ❋ Unknown (2010)
In the late ’70s, Ulric Neisser, the pioneering researcher who coined the term cognitive psychology, launched a broad attack on the approach of Ebbinghaus and his scientific kin. ❋ By Gary Wolf (2008)
We learned this background music and its meanings — without the slightest separation between what we call cognitive and emotional in our (male, dualistic) dissection of experience — as early as we learned to recognize our first caretakers … usually a mother. ❋ Unknown (2008)
example — A person with more cognitive [skills] is more likely to [get a job] in [GOOGLE]. ❋ Pihu (2014)
The Cognition [Psychology] [students] are not cogniting [today]. ❋ Finnals (2013)
-cognitate [nigga] ❋ Sumfuck (2013)
[Barton]: «Why am I back? How’d you get him out?»
[Romanoff]: «[Cognitive recalibration]. I hit you really hard in the head.» ❋ Bieber H8R (2015)
«[So what] do you [study]?»
«Cognitive science.»
«So you are going to be a [psychologist]?»
«No.» ❋ Senethys (2014)
Twitter [whores] should [seek] [professional help] for their cognitive dysentery. ❋ TNunnster (2010)
«smoking will most likely cause you to have [cancer] you know?»
«[hmmm] I’m not so sure I know people who have smoked all their lives and they’re fine, plus I [enjoy it] anyway..» this is cognitive dissonance ❋ Oberon (2019)
Sally spent 12 hours straight studying for some class, and therefore is unable to describe the most basic things, like how to [make a sandwich]. She is now cognitively fucked.
[I can’t even] think of a good enough example because I’ve been [working on] this stupid problem for 13 hours and now I’m cognitively fucked and want a beer. ❋ Sleepywantbeer (2009)
«Overwhelmed at the prospect of having [the bounty] of an entire [doughnut shop] all to himself, Homer immediately suffered a massive cognitive impaction that reduced him to little more than a drooling mass of [manflesh].» ❋ Joshua B. Wright (2004)
This child is going through a state of cognitive dissonance as he imitates his [hero] while [physically] [beating] his friends. ❋ Nee — Oh — Corn (2003)
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- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ kog-ni-tiv ]
/ ˈkɒg nɪ tɪv /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
adjective
of or relating to cognition; concerned with the act or process of knowing, perceiving, etc. : cognitive development; cognitive functioning.
of or relating to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.
VIDEO FOR COGNITIVE
What Does The Definition Of «Cognitive» Actually Mean?
We have to be 16 to drive. Why? That’s when we’re cognitive enough to make good judgments while on the road. At 18, we can watch R-rated movies. So, that means we can deal with complex situations and narratives. This is what «cognitive» is all about.
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Origin of cognitive
1580–90; <Medieval Latin cognitīvus, equivalent to Latin cognit(us) known (see cognition) + -īvus-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM cognitive
cog·ni·tive·ly, adverbcog·ni·tiv·i·ty, nounnon·cog·ni·tive, adjective
Words nearby cognitive
cognate, cognate object, cognation, cognisant, cognition, cognitive, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, cognitive computing, cognitive development, cognitive dissonance, cognitive ethology
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to cognitive
emotional, intellectual, mental, subjective, analytical, balanced, deliberate, enlightened, impartial, intelligent, judicious, levelheaded, logical, lucid, normal, prudent, reasonable, sane, sensible, sober
How to use cognitive in a sentence
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As momentum gains for a more cognitive and social approach for training AI, neuroscience studies that help us understand how we learn from one another may also benefit learning algorithms that teach AI to learn by observing us.
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In nine experiments, psychologist Jorge Morales, philosopher Alex Bax, and cognitive scientist Chaz Firestone showed that the elliptical image on the back of the eye likely stays with us.
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This difference drew popular attention and was suggested to cause cognitive sex differences.
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Previous studies found that running also stimulates fat cells and muscle to benefit the brain’s regenerative and cognitive functions—with each organ using their own molecular “phone lines.”
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Research now suggests that use results in prolonged lifespan and enhanced cognitive and immune function.
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A big part of the reason is a simple psychological phenomenon called cognitive dissonance.
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In this way, certain cognitive mechanisms can act like a hammer too eager for nails.
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This dietary supplement originates in China and has been reported to enhance cognitive ability in healthy individuals.
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Later, cognitive and behavioral problems can occur; dementia is not uncommon.
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The point at which autonomy should be handed over to the child is less clear when parenting children with cognitive disabilities.
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For the present, we are only concerned with such as are cognitive.
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We have, in other words, been assuming that language moves entirely in the ideational or cognitive sphere.
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It means, in short, that he is in an aesthetic attitude of realization rather than in a cognitive attitude.
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The interest with which this discipline is approached is therefore not commonly the intellectual or cognitive interest simply.
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It may be either logical, cognitive, scientific or even metaphysical.
British Dictionary definitions for cognitive
adjective
of or relating to cognition
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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