Which approach emphasizes higher-order thinking and problem solving in education?

The cognitive approach emphasizes the development of higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in education by focusing on how children process information, develop understanding, and apply knowledge. This approach encourages students to engage with material at a deeper level, promoting critical thinking, reasoning, and the ability to make connections among different concepts. Through various instructional strategies, such as inquiry-based learning and cooperative problem-solving tasks, the cognitive approach fosters an environment where students are challenged to analyze, evaluate, and create solutions rather than simply recalling information or following rote procedures.

The other options focus on different aspects of education. The affective approach centers on emotions and attitudes, which are essential for personal development but do not primarily target cognitive skill enhancement. Behavior analysis is mainly concerned with observation and shaping behavior through reinforcement, but it does not specifically aim at higher-order cognitive processes. The basic skills approach emphasizes foundational knowledge and skills, which are important for education but may not advance students’ abilities to think critically or solve complex problems independently.