Which psychological approach studies the impact of mental processes such as thoughts and perception on behavior?

The cognitive approach is centered around understanding how mental processes such as thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions influence behaviors. This perspective posits that our internal thought processes are essential in shaping how we react to different situations. It involves examining cognitive functions like attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which affect how we interpret and respond to external stimuli.

By focusing on the workings of the mind, the cognitive approach helps to explain why individuals may exhibit certain behaviors based on their interpretations and mental representations of the world around them. This makes it distinct from the behavioral approach, which primarily investigates observable behaviors without delving into mental processes. Similarly, the humanistic approach emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization but does not focus specifically on cognitive processes, while the social learning approach looks at behaviors learned through observation and imitation, incorporating social context but not directly addressing internal thought processes.