Cognition

Cognitive existence is a type of entities identified in Persona 5 but is hinted in the Persona series.

Profile
Cognitive existence is the given form of what a person is interpreted by other person or the society. The apparent appearance may be identical, but the personality or the physical capabilities can be vastly different than the original. Cognitive existence is not to be confused with Shadow Self as the Shadow represents the hidden side of one's self.

Persona 2 duology
Cognitive existences are not named such in the games. They are created by the power of widespread rumors. All entities born from rumors falls into this category including those who are factually dead but brought back to life by rumors like Takashi Hanya, the Fuhrer and Takahisa Kandori.

Persona 5
Cognitive existences appear in the Palaces of their respective hosts. They are the embodiment of what the hosts perceive them in reality.
 * Kamoshida Palace:
 * Princess Anne and other female students: Obedient sex slaves for Suguru Kamoshida
 * Jailed and painfully trained male students: Dispensable volleyball club members
 * Kaneshiro Bank:
 * ATM humans: Cash dispenser for Junya Kaneshiro's own greed.
 * Futaba Palace:
 * Sphinx: the Spiteful Wakaba Isshiki who resents Futaba Sakura instead of loving.
 * Jichu Base:
 * Haru Okumura's Fiance: Stepping stone to power by sacrificing Haru Okumura's happeniness.
 * Shidou Palace:
 * Cognitive Goro Akechi: Obedient and dispensable puppet to handle the dirty works for Masayoshi Shido.