Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Higher cognitive functions refer to complex mental processes such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making that go beyond basic sensory and motor skills.
Related terms
Zone of proximal development: The zone of proximal development is the range of tasks or skills that a child can accomplish with guidance or assistance from a more knowledgeable person.
Metacognition refers to our ability to think about our own thinking processes. It involves self-awareness, self-monitoring, and self-regulation of our thoughts.
Executive functions: Executive functions are a set of mental abilities that help us plan, organize, control impulses, and shift attention. They play a crucial role in higher cognitive functioning.