How are Knowledge and Comprehension Different?

Posted by Erica Warren on Mar 20, 2021

Although many people use the terms knowledge and comprehension interchangeably, they actually represent two distinct—yet interconnected—cognitive processes. Comprehension is the act of understanding new information, while knowledge is the lasting record of that understanding stored in long-term memory. First, we must comprehend information before it can be encoded as knowledge. Later, when we retrieve that knowledge to make sense of new ideas, we engage comprehension once again—creating a continuous cycle of learning and meaning-making.

But what exactly do we mean by knowledge and comprehension?

Knowledge vs. Comprehension

Although closely related, knowledge and comprehension represent different levels of understanding within the learning process.

Knowledge refers to the stored, conscious, and retrievable information held in the brain. Rather than residing in one specific location, knowledge is distributed throughout the cortex in interconnected neural networks. Researchers have identified four main types of knowledge:

Factual Knowledge – The basic facts and details stored in long-term memory.
Conceptual Knowledge – An understanding of relationships, patterns, and underlying principles that connect facts and ideas.
Procedural Knowledge – The “how-to” information that enables us to perform tasks and apply learned skills.
Metacognitive Knowledge – Awareness and regulation of one’s own thinking and learning processes.

Comprehension, on the other hand, is the active cognitive process that allows us to make sense of information and connect it to what we already know. It involves thinking, experience, and reflection, turning raw knowledge into meaningful understanding.

In essence, comprehension transforms knowledge into insight—bridging stored information with new learning and real-world application.

How Can I Improve Comprehension?

If you are interested in cognitive tools that can exercise and strengthen comprehension. Come review my cognitive remedial and braining training publications at Good Sensory Learning.

What About Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is the ability to process text, understand its meaning, and to integrate with what the reader already knows. To learn more about reading comprehension and strategies to improve it, come read my blogs:

I hope you found this helpful!

Cheers, Erica

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning. She is also the director of Learning to Learn and Learning Specialist Courses.