Which of the following best defines "cognition"?

• A. The process of accessing stored information
• B. A mental activity related to thinking and remembering
• C. A technique for encoding information
• D. A type of sensory memory

Answer: (B)

The chosen answer, which defines cognition as a mental activity related to thinking and remembering, encompasses the broad scope of cognitive processes. Cognition involves various functions such as perception, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, learning, and memory. It creates an understanding of how individuals interpret and interact with the world around them through mental activities.

This option captures the essence of cognition as not only the act of retrieving information but also the processes involved in thinking critically and forming memories. Therefore, it highlights the connection between thought and memory, which are foundational elements of cognitive psychology.

The other definitions, while related to aspects of cognition, do not encompass its full range. Accessing stored information is just one part of the cognitive process, encoding information is a specific technique to facilitate memory, and sensory memory pertains to the very initial stages of processing information. Thus, the selected definition provides the most comprehensive perspective on what cognition entails.