Which of the following is a key concept in Cognitive Theory?

• A. Schemas
• B. Core beliefs
• C. Biological maturation of cognitive abilities
• D. Capacity for symbolization

Answer: (A)

Schemas are mental frameworks that organize knowledge and guide how we interpret new information. They shape what we notice, how we categorize experiences, and what we remember. When new data comes in, we fit it into existing schemas (assimilation) or adjust the schemas to fit the new information (accommodation). This dynamic explains how our thinking patterns form, how biases arise, and how learning changes thought processes. The other options relate to different theories or domains—core beliefs are more tied to cognitive therapy, while biological maturation and symbolization link to development or linguistic/cognitive growth rather than the central processing model of cognition.