Human cognitive systems are the systems in the human mind that involve the conscious processing of information of various types and that help individuals deal with self, others, and the world. Human cognitive systems as they reside in the human mind are typically described as being mental processes that are typically accessible by only the individual. As the individual behaves in the world and as that individual communicates with others, the individual can share to some degree (but does not have to) what is going on in his or her own mind.

The processes underlying human cognitive systems, such as thinking and deciding, for the most part, are not held in consciousness but remain as unconscious or subconscious processes.