Cognitive modeling is a research methodology and academic field dedicated to constructing computational or mathematical representations of human cognitive processes. It investigates the mechanisms, structures, and dynamics of mental functions such as perception, learning, memory, and decision-making by translating psychological theories into explicit, testable models. A key characteristic is the use of simulation to predict behavioral or neural data, and its significance lies in providing a rigorous framework for theory testing, hypothesis generation, and advancing the understanding of cognition.