---
title: "Cognitive Perspective — AP Psych Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "The cognitive perspective explains behavior through mental processes like memory, perception, and interpretation. See how it shows up from conditioning to disorders on the AP exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/cognitive-perspective"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Cognitive Perspective — AP Psych Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

The cognitive perspective is a psychological approach that focuses on understanding human behavior by examining mental processes such as perception, memory, and thinking.

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Behaviorism](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/behaviorism): A psychological perspective that emphasizes observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes.
- [Social-Cultural Perspective](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/social-cultural-perspective): A psychological approach that emphasizes how social and cultural factors influence human behavior.
- [Biological Perspective](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/biological-perspective): A psychological viewpoint that focuses on how biological factors like genetics and brain chemistry contribute to human behavior.