Cognitive models offer a structured way to describe, predict, and explain human thought and behavior. Grounded in psychology and neuroscience, these models translate theories of perception, memory, attention, and decision-making into formal representations that can be tested and refined. They’re indispensable for anyone who designs learning experiences, interfaces, or decision-support tools that must align with how people actually think. What cognitive models doCognitive models formalize mental processes so researchers and practitioners can simulate how people encode information, retrieve memories, shift attention, and choose between options. They range from symbolic rule-based frameworks that mirror step-by-step reasoning to probabilistic and connectionist approaches…