Written by Meghan Sellman
Office Manager
Jumpseat Research

What is Cognition?

It’s fascinating to think that no two people are exactly alike. Each of us has unique physical features and fingerprints. Just as every person’s fingerprint is one of a kind, so too is the way we think. This process of thinking is known as cognition—the mental activities involved in learning, remembering, understanding, and being aware of our surroundings. Cognition is not a single act but a series of intricate steps that influence how we make decisions and solve problems. Many of these steps occur below our conscious awareness, such as perception—the way we interpret sensory information to create mental images of the world. Other processes include how we acquire knowledge and skills through experience, and the various techniques we use to absorb new information. All of these factors contribute to the pathways we take in decision-making and problem-solving. Interestingly, two people may arrive at the same solution, but through entirely different strategies—much like how two individuals might solve the same math problem using different methods. In short, cognition is a complex web of interconnected steps, each playing a role in the way we think, learn, and ultimately understand the world around us.

Perception and Sensation: Our Building Blocks 

One of the first steps in thinking is perception, which relies on the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch—to gather information about the world around us. This sensory input helps us build mental models of our environment. However, in order to create these mental models, perception works hand-in-hand with sensation. While perception collects the “puzzle pieces” of sensory information, sensation assembles them into a coherent picture of reality. Both processes are essential: without them working together, our ability to process information becomes limited. If perception is present without sensation, we might misinterpret information, like understanding words in the wrong order and making faulty assumptions. On the other hand, without perception, sensation alone leaves us in the dark, lacking context or prior knowledge, and unable to see the full picture. Both perception and sensation play a crucial role in memory, whether short-term or long-term. To create memories and think efficiently, data from both perception and sensation must be actively engaged.

Limitations: Inattentional Blindness and Priming  

Once we gather the sensory “puzzle pieces” and piece them together, we can begin processing this information in various ways to store it in memory. The phenomena we observe in the world offer valuable clues about how thinking and processing of information works. For example, inattentional blindness occurs when people fail to notice something right in front of them because they are focused on something else— which happens more often than you might think. We explore this concept further on the Mind Matters Podcast, where our CEO and Principal, Joe McDonald, Ph.D., delves into different mental processes within the limitations of cognitive psychology and AI.  

Within the limitation of attention and different mental processes, there is also priming. This is where prior exposure to a related stimulus—often repeated—affects our behavior or ability to recall information without us being aware of it. For example, in the 2015 movie Focus, starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, the characters use priming when exposing to a man to a specific stimulus for a certain amount of time. Their goal was to steer him in the direction of choosing the stimulus, which was a specific number, 55, of a football player’s jersey in high stakes bet. Over several days, they subtly exposed him to the number 55, making it so ingrained in his mind that it influenced his unconscious choice. This is a powerful example of how priming works, influencing memory without the individual even realizing it. Although this was a selfish application of priming, the technique can be incredibly beneficial for studying or just helping us retain information for longer. By subtly reinforcing key concepts, priming can enhance memory retention without requiring conscious effort.  

Summary: The Complexity of Cognitive Processes

The intricate web of cognitive processes, from perception and sensation to memory and priming, highlights the complexity of how we think, learn, and make decisions. Just as each person’s cognitive journey is unique, the way we process and store information varies greatly based on countless factors—many of which happen outside of our conscious awareness. Whether it’s the subtle influence of priming or the fundamental roles of perception and sensation, these processes shape our understanding of the world and guide our interactions with it. Recognizing the power and limitations of our cognitive systems underscores the importance of mindful thinking and intentional learning. Understanding these mental processes not only deepens our appreciation of human cognition but also opens the door to more effective strategies for learning and problem-solving in both everyday life and specialized fields.