The cognitive approach primarily focuses on which of the following?

The cognitive approach in psychology is centered on the internal mental processes that influence how individuals perceive, interpret, and interact with the world. This approach emphasizes areas such as memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and language, recognizing that these cognitive processes shape behavior and are essential for understanding human thought.

A focus on mental processes allows psychologists within this framework to investigate how information is processed, stored, and retrieved, which is critical for understanding behaviors in various contexts. The cognitive approach utilizes experimental methods and strong empirical research, giving insight into how people think, learn, and remember.

The other options are less relevant in the context of the cognitive approach. Physical development and genetic influences pertain more closely to biological and developmental perspectives, while social interactions and behaviors relate more to social psychology, which emphasizes the role of the environment and relationships rather than internal thought processes.