Bloom's Taxonomy and Associated Cognitive Processes

In 1956, Benjamin Bloom classified six levels of learning into a hierarchy that has become known as Bloom's Taxonomy. The requirements for cognitive performance on the part learner increase as one moves through the taxonomy, starting with recall and ending with evaluation. 

Each level in Bloom's Taxonomy involves the use of a key cognitive process from Classification of Learning of Learning Skills. The table below shows the cognitive process associated with or predominately used with respect to each level in Bloom's Taxonomy.

Bloom Description Process
Recall Learning pieces of information, such as facts and definitions, enough so that you are able to repeat them.

Information
processing
Comprehension Understanding enough about a topic so that you are able to explain it to someone else. Critical 
thinking
Application Putting what has been learned into practice; applying what you know. Higher order
critical thinking
Analysis Breaking a topic into specific parts and studying the interaction of the parts. Problem 
solving
Synthesis Integrating prior knowledge and creativity to gain insights into a topic. Research
Evaluation Knowing a topic so well that you can judge its quality according to established criteria. Assessment