Intelligence vs. Cognition — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 25, 2024
Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge, while cognition encompasses all mental processes including perception and memory.
Difference Between Intelligence and Cognition
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Intelligence is often defined as the capacity to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations. It is considered a broader concept that encompasses various cognitive abilities, including reasoning, planning, solving problems, thinking abstractly, comprehending complex ideas, learning quickly, and learning from experience. On the other hand, cognition refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, including thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving. These are higher-level functions of the brain and encompass language, imagination, perception, and planning.
While intelligence is a measure of one's ability to engage in complex cognitive processes and adapt to the environment, cognition itself is the set of processes that underlies this ability. Cognition includes processes like perception, memory, and reasoning, which are fundamental components of what we consider to be intelligence. In other words, cognition provides the tools and processes that intelligence uses to operate.
Intelligence is often assessed through various tests and measures that attempt to quantify intellectual ability or potential. These tests may evaluate a range of cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Cognition, however, is studied through a broader lens, focusing on how people understand the world, form memories, make decisions, and solve problems, without necessarily quantifying these abilities as a measure of intelligence.
The development of intelligence in an individual can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, suggesting a complex interplay between the brain's potential and the experiences that shape cognitive development. Cognition, on the other hand, can be seen as the manifestation of these intellectual capacities in everyday life, encompassing all mental activities related to processing, understanding, and storing information.
In essence, intelligence can be viewed as the overarching capacity that allows for complex thought, while cognition encompasses the specific mental processes through which this capacity is exercised. Understanding the relationship between the two can provide insights into human behavior, learning, and the development of artificial intelligence systems that attempt to emulate human thinking.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Capacity to learn, understand, and apply knowledge.
All mental processes including perception, memory, and thought.
Focus
Overall ability to engage in complex cognitive processes.
Specific processes of gaining knowledge and understanding.
Assessment
Through IQ tests and other measures of intellectual ability.
Studied through observation of mental processes and behaviors.
Components
Includes reasoning, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Encompasses thinking, knowing, remembering, and judging.
Role in Behavior
Determines problem-solving and adaptation skills.
Underlies all forms of mental activities and understanding.
Compare with Definitions
Intelligence
Reflects both innate capacity and learned knowledge.
A child's ability to learn new languages quickly shows intelligence.
Cognition
Encompasses mental processes used in gaining knowledge.
Remembering a fact involves cognitive processes.
Intelligence
Ability to adapt to new situations using past experiences.
Using problem-solving skills in unfamiliar scenarios demonstrates intelligence.
Cognition
Fundamental to understanding and interacting with the world.
Cognitive skills are essential for daily tasks and learning.
Intelligence
Often quantified through standardized tests.
IQ tests aim to measure various aspects of intelligence.
Cognition
Can be affected by neurological and psychological conditions.
Dementia can impair cognitive functions like memory and reasoning.
Intelligence
Influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Educational opportunities can enhance the intellectual abilities of genetically gifted individuals.
Cognition
Studied in cognitive psychology to improve learning and memory.
Research on cognitive strategies can enhance educational methods.
Intelligence
Can be specialized, such as emotional or musical intelligence.
Exceptional ability to understand and express emotions indicates high emotional intelligence.
Cognition
Broad term covering various mental activities.
Cognitive activities range from perception to decision-making.
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
Cognition
Cognition ( (listen)) refers to "the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses". It encompasses many aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as: perception, attention, the formation of knowledge, memory and working memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning and "computation", problem solving and decision making, comprehension and production of language.
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Cognition
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Cognition
The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment.
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Cognition
That which comes to be known, as through perception, reasoning, or intuition; knowledge.
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Cognition
The process of knowing, of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought and through the senses.
Intelligence
An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
Cognition
(countable) A result of a cognitive process.
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Cognition
The act of knowing; knowledge; perception.
I will not be myself nor have cognationOf what I feel: I am all patience.
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Cognition
That which is known.
Intelligence
(countable) An entity that has such capacities.
Cognition
The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
Intelligence
, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Intelligence
(dated) acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Intelligence
The operation of gathering information about an enemy
Common Curiosities
What are some examples of cognitive processes?
Cognitive processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving.
What is the difference between intelligence and cognition?
Intelligence is the overall capacity to learn, understand, and apply knowledge, while cognition refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension.
What role does cognition play in learning?
Cognition plays a crucial role in learning, as it involves processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving that are essential for acquiring and retaining knowledge.
How does the environment affect intelligence?
The environment can affect intelligence by providing learning opportunities, stimulating cognitive development, and influencing emotional and social growth.
Can intelligence change over time?
Yes, intelligence can change over time due to factors like education, environment, and possibly neuroplasticity.
Can cognitive abilities be improved?
Yes, cognitive abilities can be improved with practice, education, and certain cognitive training exercises.
Can technology enhance cognitive abilities?
Yes, technology can enhance cognitive abilities through educational software, cognitive training games, and by providing access to vast amounts of information.
How is intelligence measured?
Intelligence is often measured through standardized tests that assess various cognitive abilities, such as IQ tests.
Is intelligence the same as being good at tests?
Not necessarily; being good at tests can indicate certain cognitive abilities, but intelligence is a broader concept that includes adaptability and problem-solving in various contexts.
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and those of others.
Is cognition only present in humans?
No, cognition is present in many animals, though the complexity and nature of cognitive processes can vary widely across species.
How do psychologists study cognition?
Psychologists study cognition through experiments, cognitive tests, and observational studies to understand how people perceive, think, and remember.
What is the role of genetics in intelligence?
Genetics plays a significant role in determining the potential for intelligence, but environmental factors also have a substantial impact.
What impact do neurological disorders have on cognition?
Neurological disorders can significantly impact cognition, affecting memory, attention, problem-solving skills, and other cognitive functions.
What is cognitive psychology?
Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies mental processes such as perception, memory, thought, and problem-solving.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
