Final answer:
In modern literature, the 'complex inner workings of the human psyche' are frequently explored. This includes investigations into human thinking, emotions, consciousness, and the psychological underpinnings of character development and narrative progression.
Step-by-step explanation:
In modern literature, what is often explored are the complex inner workings of the human psyche. This exploration delves into cognitive functions, emotions, consciousness, and the myriad of experiences that define human existence. Cognitive psychology, as a branch of psychology, primarily focuses on the study of human thinking which includes perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. The human psyche is central to the understanding of characters and themes in literature, as it represents the underlying motivations, conflicts, and changes that characters undergo through the narrative.
Themes related to the human psyche have been prominent in literature, with many writers including the psychologist Carl Jung, who coined the term "collective unconsciousness." Modernist artists and authors frequently question societal norms and delve into the darker, more complex realities beneath the surface, contrasting with the Victorian focus on traditional morality. These explorations are illustrative of the broader literary endeavor to depict the nuanced and sometimes abstract experiences of human thought and emotion that shape individual and collective behavior.