In terms of instructional strategies, what is the primary focus of cognitive learning?

Cognitive learning primarily concerns itself with the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. Therefore, the focus on complex problem solving aligns with cognitive learning, as it involves higher-order thinking skills like analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

In cognitive learning theory, students are encouraged to understand concepts, make connections, and transfer knowledge to new situations. Complex problem solving requires learners to apply their understanding and reasoning skills to navigate difficult scenarios, which is a key component of cognitive development.

Other aspects such as emotional understanding, observation skills, and physical coordination, while valuable in the learning process, do not encapsulate the core objective of cognitive learning as precisely as complex problem solving does. Thus, those elements serve different dimensions of learning rather than representing the primary focus of cognitive strategies.