Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • 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.