In cognitive psychology, researchers primarily focus on which of the following?

• A. Mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, and problem solving
• B. Observable behavior and how it is shaped by reinforcement and punishment
• C. Hormones, neurotransmitters, and other biochemical mechanisms underlying behavior
• D. The effects of unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences on personality development

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core focus of cognitive psychology, which is the study of internal mental processes rather than external behaviors or biological mechanisms.
2. Step 2: Recognize that cognitive psychology investigates how people perceive, attend to, remember, use language, and solve problems—these are all examples of mental processes.
3. Step 3: Differentiate cognitive psychology from other psychological approaches: behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and reinforcement; biological psychology studies biochemical mechanisms; psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious conflicts and early experiences.
4. Step 4: Identify that the correct answer involves mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, and problem solving, as these are central to cognitive psychology.
5. Step 5: Conclude that cognitive psychology primarily focuses on understanding how these mental processes work and influence behavior, rather than focusing on external behavior alone or biological factors.