Answer: an effort to understand and influence the surrounding environment
Explanation: The cognitive theory of development observed in individuals is focused at understanding the growth and functional development of an individual's brain and the impact, relationship and influence of his environment on the entire process which could affect the level and speed of information processing, language and skill development and perception or conceptual ideas. All this cognitive skills are influenced by an individual's environment and as such cognitive developmental theories are tailored at understanding the impact and influence of the environment on an individual's cognitive skills.