Which discipline investigates the neural bases of cognition in addition to the cognitive processes themselves?

• A. Cognitive Neuroscience
• B. Cognitive Psychology
• C. Developmental Psychology
• D. Social Psychology

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how some fields merge what we think and do with what happens in the brain. Cognitive neuroscience is the area that investigates neural bases of cognition as well as the cognitive processes themselves. It asks how brain activity and neural networks give rise to attention, memory, language, perception, and problem solving, often using brain-imaging and electrophysiological methods to link specific brain regions or circuits to particular mental functions.

Cognitive psychology, while focused on how we think and process information, typically emphasizes behavioral findings and cognitive models rather than the underlying brain mechanisms. Developmental psychology examines how cognition changes across the lifespan, concentrating on developmental trajectories and milestones rather than the neural substrates. Social psychology explores how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others and by social context, again without centering on brain-based explanations. Thus, cognitive neuroscience uniquely answers questions about both the cognitive processes and their neural underpinnings.