cognitive growth
Expanding intellectual capacity
Cognitive growth is the development of mental abilities—thinking, reasoning, learning, and problem-solving—over time.
The term appears most often in developmental psychology, describing how children acquire increasingly complex ways of understanding the world: The curriculum is designed to support cognitive growth in early learners.
Adults may also pursue cognitive growth through education, new experiences, or challenging mental activities.
- recallMemory retrieval act
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- problem solvingAddressing challenges systematically
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- masteryComplete skill or control
acquisition · comprehension · analysis · self-awareness · scaffolding · learning curve · working memory · metacognition · executive function · retention · neuroplasticity · exploration · aha moment · light bulb moment · trial and error · building blocks · developmental milestones · curiosity
cognitive growthcognitive decline
Worsening of thought abilities
mental deterioration · cognitive impairment · dementia · neurodegeneration · senility