What is cognition? How do we define thought? At base, cognition involves the representation of events and the mental manipulation of events outside of immediate reality. In other words, the use of imagination. If you can imagine the outcome of an action, you can evaluate whether or not it is worthwhile to take such an action. Or you can imagine alternative actions that can be taken. These abilities dramatically change the animal’s relationship with action. With cognition, human beings are able to think before they act and to correct their mistakes. They are also able to plan future actions and to anticipate possible outcomes.

Cognition also allows us to compare the actual outcome of an action with the desired outcome and then modify the action accordingly. This process is called goal-correction.