Cognitive Action

A Cognitive Action is a mental action by a cognitive entity that processes information, generates understanding, or controls mental processes through conscious or unconscious means.

• Context:
  • It can actively process Information Input through neural pathways.
  • It can systematically generate Mental Output through cognitive process.
  • It can dynamically control Mental State through cognitive control.
  • It can adaptively manage Cognitive Resources through attention allocation.
  • ...
  • It can often utilize Memory Systems for information processing.
  • It can often employ Reasoning Processes for decision making.
  • It can often incorporate Attention Mechanisms for cognitive focus.
  • It can often leverage Executive Functions for behavioral control.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Cognitive Action to being a Complex Cognitive Action, depending on its processing requirement.
  • It can range from being an Unconscious Cognitive Action to being a Conscious Cognitive Action, depending on its awareness level.
  • It can range from being an Automatic Cognitive Action to being a Controlled Cognitive Action, depending on its effort requirement.
  • ...
  • It can support Knowledge Formation through mental processing.
  • It can facilitate Problem Solving through cognitive strategy.
  • It can enable Decision Making through information evaluation.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Information Processing Actions, such as:
    • Perceptual Actions, such as:
      • Visual Processing for visual information.
      • Auditory Processing for sound processing.
    • Memory Actions, such as:
      • Information Storage for memory formation.
      • Information Retrieval for memory recall.
  • Higher Order Cognitive Actions, such as:
    • Reasoning Actions, such as:
      • Logical Analysis for problem solving.
      • Critical Thinking for decision making.
    • Learning Actions, such as:
      • Skill Acquisition for ability development.
      • Knowledge Integration for understanding formation.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Physical Action, which lacks mental processing.
  • Reflexive Response, which lacks cognitive control.
  • Emotional Reaction, which lacks cognitive evaluation.
• See: Mental Process, Brain Function, Neural Action, Information Processing, Cognitive Control.

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