Which of the following is a characteristic of cognitive psychology?

• A. It emphasizes the influence of unconscious drives and childhood experiences.
• B. It primarily studies observable behaviors without considering internal mental states.
• C. It is mainly concerned with the effects of reinforcement and punishment on behavior.
• D. It focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core focus of cognitive psychology, which is the study of internal mental processes such as perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving.
2. Step 2: Recognize that cognitive psychology differs from psychoanalysis, which emphasizes unconscious drives and childhood experiences.
3. Step 3: Note that behaviorism primarily studies observable behaviors and often excludes internal mental states, which is not the focus of cognitive psychology.
4. Step 4: Identify that the study of reinforcement and punishment is central to behaviorism, not cognitive psychology.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the characteristic of cognitive psychology is its focus on mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving, distinguishing it from other psychological approaches.