non-cognitive
UK[nɒn ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv]US[nɑːn ˈkɑːɡnɪtɪv]
adj
Not relating to or involving conscious intellectual activity, such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering.
adj
(In psychology and education) relating to or denoting mental skills or attributes that are not directly linked to academic knowledge, such as motivation, resilience, and social skills.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
cognitive
non
not
cognitive
relating to knowing
Etymology
The term is a modern English compound, formed by directly combining the Latin-derived negative prefix 'non-' with the adjective 'cognitive.' 'Cognitive' itself traces back to the Latin verb 'cognoscere,' meaning "to become acquainted with, know," which is itself a compound of 'co-' (together) and 'gnoscere' (to know). The root 'gnoscere' shares a Proto-Indo-European origin with words like 'know' and 'notion.' Therefore, 'non-cognitive' literally builds on the ancient concept of knowing, applying a straightforward negation to describe mental attributes or processes that exist outside the realm of conscious, knowledge-based thought.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + cognitive (relating to knowing)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative or privative element.
- cognitive: An adjective of Latin origin, from 'cognit-' (the stem of 'cognoscere,' meaning "to get to know, recognize"). It functions as the core descriptive element, relating to the process of knowing or understanding.
Examples
Schools are increasingly focusing on developing students' non-cognitive skills, such as perseverance and teamwork.
The study examined both cognitive abilities, like memory, and non-cognitive factors, such as emotional stability.
Some personality traits are considered non-cognitive predictors of academic success.