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Cognitive Functions
Overview
Cognition involves the higher level functions carried out by the human brain. These include comprehension, visual perception, attention, information processing, memory, as well as functions associated with details, problem-solving, and self-monitoring. Many cognitive limitations have a basis in the biology or physiology of the individual. The connection between a person's biology and mental processes is most obvious in the case of traumatic brain injury and genetic disorders, but even some, rather subtle, cognitive effects can have a basis in the structure or chemistry of the brain.
Cognitive limitations can be diagnosed at a birth, in childhood or adolescence, or can develop as an individual ages; in some cases, limitations can go undiagnosed or unrecognized by the individual over the lifespan. Additionally, brain injuries or illness can affect an individual’s abilities no matter the age. These differences are particularly important to remember when working with victims/survivors, as women can oftentimes develop cognitive functional limitations as a result of violence or abuse; some will not even be aware of it.
Key Functions Involved in Cognition
A basic knowledge of the different functions involved in cognition is helpful to understand when working with people who have cognitive limitations. Below we provide a list of the functions of cognition, followed by some examples of that function.
- Attention: functions of sustaining, shifting, or dividing attention or concentration.
- Comprehension: functions of understanding information and the ability to translate, interpret, and extrapolate from it.
- Memory: functions of short and long-term memory, memory span, retrieval, recall, or remembering; functions used in learning.
- Intellect: functions that support the capacity to problem solve, think abstractly, comprehend language, and learn.
- Higher-level cognition: functions that support decision-making, abstract thinking, planning and execution, mental flexibility, and social appropriateness.
- Global psycho-social: functions required to comprehend, constructively integrate or form the interpersonal skills needed to establish relationships.
Reasons for Cognitive Limitations
There are many conditions that can greatly impact a person’s ability to perform cognitive functions. This section gives you some basic information about some of those more common conditions.
