In the context of cognitive psychology, what does the term 'cognitive deficits' refer to?

The term 'cognitive deficits' specifically refers to impaired abilities in processing information. This encompasses a broad range of cognitive functions such as attention, perception, reasoning, and problem-solving. When an individual experiences cognitive deficits, it indicates that their mental processes are not functioning optimally, which can affect their capacity to understand, learn, and apply information effectively. These impairments can result from various factors, including brain injury, neurological disorders, or developmental conditions.

This choice captures the essence of cognitive deficits as it involves how effectively an individual can engage with and make sense of information in their environment. In contrast, the other options focus on specific aspects or symptoms that may not fully encompass the broader definition of cognitive deficits. For instance, holes in knowledge are more about specific content gaps rather than the processing capacity itself, inconsistent patterns of behavior pertain to behavior regulation rather than cognitive processes, and issues related to memory recall target a specific cognitive function rather than a general impairment across various cognitive domains.