cognitive challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cognitive challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or situation that requires mental effort, problem-solving, or critical thinking. Example: "The puzzle presented a significant cognitive challenge, pushing the participants to think outside the box."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But we are not faring well with the cognitive challenge to define this phenomenon.

The Guardian - Books

Even adults should consider studying for and taking the SAT as a cognitive challenge.

The New York Times

Her adaptations to the agnosia have been extraordinary — a lesson in what can be done to hold together a life in the face of severe perceptual and cognitive challenge.

The New Yorker

As the questions wore on and Pattison kept reëxamining certain parts of the story, Chenery-Wickens found it increasingly difficult to keep his facts straight — not because of anxiety, it seemed, but because of the simple cognitive challenge.

The New Yorker

It hints at the kind of passion and life-enhancing effect that language-learning can have on students, and is followed by proposals to change content in a way that will: "produce a rich and rewarding qualification, with an appropriate level of cognitive challenge and suitable for progression to university study or to employment".

The Guardian

But on a small monitor, this frequent task presents a cognitive challenge, says Jane Payfer, the chief marketing officer at Ergotron, the company that makes the excellent ergonomic monitor stands that I used to set up my displays in different ways.

The New York Times - Tech

This more active approach to deception "might be a cognitive challenge for them", says Karg.

BBC

Questions can differ tremendously with respect to the cognitive challenge they pose to the respondent (Renaud and Murray 2007).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

In a similar vein, teachers' self-reported enthusiasm for teaching was found to relate to student ratings of monitoring, cognitive challenge and social support (Kunter et al. 2008).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

A new definition of 'cognitive enrichment' – where an appropriate cognitive challenge results in measurable beneficial changes to well-being – is proposed to encourage research at the interface of great ape cognition and well-being.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

It is well established that facing a cognitive challenge while carrying out a motor task interferes with the motor task performance, and in general the ability of handling a dual-task declines progressively with aging.

Gait & Posture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities or tasks, use "cognitive challenge" to emphasize the mental effort and problem-solving skills required. For example, "Solving complex puzzles presents a significant cognitive challenge."

Common error

Avoid using "cognitive challenge" when a simpler term like "task" or "exercise" suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious. Use it when you are explicitly referring to mental exertion or problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cognitive challenge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "cognitive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "challenge". It denotes a situation or task that demands significant mental effort. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cognitive challenge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe tasks or situations requiring significant mental effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. With a wide range of applications across science, news, and formal communication, understanding its usage is crucial for clear and effective writing. While alternatives like "mental challenge" and "intellectual challenge" exist, "cognitive challenge" maintains its relevance and precision in diverse contexts. Be mindful not to overuse it in simpler contexts, and leverage its strength when explicitly referring to mental exertion or problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mental challenge

Focuses more directly on the mental aspect of the challenge.

intellectual challenge

Highlights the intellectual or reasoning skills required.

thinking exercise

Emphasizes the active mental engagement required.

problem-solving task

Specifically points to tasks that require solving a problem.

mental workout

Suggests an activity that exercises the mind.

brain teaser

Refers to a specific type of challenging puzzle.

reasoning task

Highlights tasks that require logical reasoning.

perceptual challenge

Emphasizes challenges related to sensory processing and interpretation.

learning opportunity

Frames the challenge as a chance for growth and development.

difficult problem

A broader term indicating a hard issue to resolve.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "cognitive challenge" into a sentence?

Use "cognitive challenge" to describe tasks or situations that require mental effort, such as "The new project presented a significant cognitive challenge for the team" or "Video games can offer a good cognitive challenge".

What are some alternatives to "cognitive challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "mental challenge", "intellectual challenge", or "thinking exercise" depending on the context.

Is "cognitive challenge" a formal or informal term?

"Cognitive challenge" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific audience. It's frequently used in academic papers, news articles, and general discussions about mental activities.

What is the difference between "cognitive challenge" and "intellectual challenge"?

While both terms refer to mental exertion, "cognitive challenge" emphasizes the broad range of mental processes involved, such as memory and attention, whereas "intellectual challenge" often highlights reasoning and problem-solving skills.