General Cognitive Abilities:
* Cognitive function: This is a broad term that refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and using it to solve problems.
* Cognitive skills: This term emphasizes the specific abilities that contribute to cognitive function, such as memory, attention, language, and problem-solving.
* Intelligence: While intelligence is often defined by IQ tests, it broadly refers to the ability to learn and apply knowledge to situations.
More Specific Abilities:
* Problem-solving: This focuses specifically on the ability to identify and resolve issues.
* Reasoning: This refers to the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence or logic.
* Judgment: This refers to the ability to make sound decisions based on available information.
* Critical thinking: This involves analyzing information, evaluating arguments, and forming well-supported judgments.
* Executive functions: This term describes a set of higher-level cognitive processes that allow us to plan, organize, and regulate our behavior.
The best term to use will depend on the specific context and what you want to emphasize. For example, if you're talking about someone's ability to complete tasks, "executive functions" might be the most appropriate term. If you're discussing their ability to learn new things, "cognitive function" might be a better choice.