What does cognitive psychology study?

Cognitive psychology primarily focuses on the study of mental processes and how the mind operates. This field examines various cognitive functions, such as perception, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and language. By exploring how individuals process information, think, and understand the world around them, cognitive psychology provides insight into how our mental processes influence behavior.

In contrast, other areas mentioned in the question involve different focuses. For instance, studying the biological basis of behavior is more aligned with biological psychology or neuroscience, which emphasizes the role of physiological processes in influencing behavior. Observable actions and responses relate more closely to behaviorism, which concentrates on measurable behavior rather than internal mental states. Finally, social interactions between humans are typically the domain of social psychology, which examines how individuals influence and are influenced by others in social contexts. Thus, the emphasis in cognitive psychology on mental processes distinctly sets it apart from these other areas of study.