What does cognitivism primarily focus on?

Cognitivism primarily focuses on the mental processes involved in perception and memory. This learning theory emphasizes understanding how individuals think, learn, and process information. It acknowledges that learners are active participants in their learning process, engaging in activities such as problem-solving, reasoning, and understanding concepts. Cognitivism is concerned with the inner workings of the mind rather than just observable behaviors, which is a key distinction from behaviorist approaches that focus solely on external behaviors and responses.

The emphasis on mental processes makes cognitivism particularly relevant in contexts where understanding how learners organize and retrieve information is vital for effective teaching and learning strategies. This perspective influences the design of instructional materials and learning activities to align with how people process, store, and recall information, thereby enhancing the learning experience.