Who Discovered Cognitive Psychology?

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Jane Flores

Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with the study of mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving. It seeks to understand how people process information and how it affects their behavior.

The origins of cognitive psychology can be traced back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, it was not until the 1950s that cognitive psychology became a distinct field of study.

One of the pioneers in this field was Ulric Neisser. In 1967, he published a book called “Cognitive Psychology,” which is considered to be one of the foundational texts in the field. In this book, Neisser argued that cognitive processes play a central role in human behavior.

Another influential figure in the development of cognitive psychology was George Miller. In 1956, Miller published a paper called “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information.” In this paper, Miller proposed that people’s short-term memory is limited to about seven items.

Jean Piaget was another important figure in the history of cognitive psychology. Piaget’s work focused on cognitive development in children. He proposed that children go through four stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.

In addition to these pioneers, many other psychologists have contributed significantly to the development of cognitive psychology over the years. Some notable figures include Herbert Simon, Allen Newell, Noam Chomsky, and Donald Broadbent.

In conclusion, while there were many psychologists who contributed to the development of cognitive psychology over time, Ulric Neisser’s “Cognitive Psychology” book is widely regarded as a foundational text for this field. Today, cognitive psychology remains an essential area of study within psychology as it continues to provide valuable insights into human cognition and behavior.