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Cognitivism focuses primarily on the processes involved in learning, particularly how individuals assimilate and process information. This theory posits that learning is an active process of acquiring, organizing, and using knowledge, emphasizing the mental faculties of the learner. It involves understanding how learners perceive, think, and remember information, and it considers cognitive processes such as attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making as critical components of education.

This emphasis on the internal processing of information differentiates cognitivism from other learning theories, such as behaviorism, which concentrates solely on observable behaviors, and constructivism, which emphasizes social interactions and experiences. Cognitivism seeks to understand the mechanisms of thought that underlie learning, making it essential for developing strategies that enhance learning outcomes based on mental processes.