key term - Ulric Neisser

Definition

Ulric Neisser was a prominent American psychologist known as the 'father of cognitive psychology,' who significantly influenced the Cognitive Revolution in the mid-20th century. He introduced the concept of 'cognitive psychology' in his 1967 book, emphasizing the study of mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Neisser's work helped shift the focus of psychology from behaviorism to understanding internal mental activities, fundamentally changing how researchers approached the study of the mind.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neisser's landmark book, 'Cognitive Psychology,' published in 1967, laid the groundwork for understanding mental processes and spurred further research in the field.
2. He argued that cognitive psychology should consider real-world applications, advocating for research that connected laboratory findings to everyday human behavior.
3. Neisser conducted important studies on perception and memory, demonstrating how our cognitive processes shape our experiences and interpretations of the world.
4. He was critical of overly reductionist approaches in psychology and encouraged a more holistic understanding of cognitive functions.
5. Neisser's work influenced educational practices and has been applied in areas such as cognitive therapy and learning strategies.

Review Questions

• How did Ulric Neisser's ideas contribute to the transition from behaviorism to cognitive psychology?
  • Ulric Neisser's ideas played a crucial role in shifting psychology's focus from behaviorism to cognitive psychology by introducing the concept of studying mental processes directly. His seminal work highlighted that understanding internal thought processes like memory and perception was essential for a complete understanding of human behavior. This shift emphasized that psychology should not solely rely on observable behaviors but also investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying those behaviors.
• In what ways did Neisser advocate for the application of cognitive psychology to real-world problems?
  • Neisser strongly advocated for connecting cognitive psychology research with real-world issues by emphasizing its practical implications. He believed that psychological research should address everyday situations and challenges people face, such as memory errors in eyewitness testimonies or learning strategies in education. By focusing on real-life applications, Neisser aimed to demonstrate the relevance and usefulness of cognitive psychology beyond academic settings.
• Critically analyze how Ulric Neisser's perspective on cognitive psychology differed from earlier psychological approaches like behaviorism.
  • Ulric Neisser's perspective on cognitive psychology marked a significant departure from earlier approaches like behaviorism by emphasizing the importance of studying internal mental states rather than solely focusing on observable behaviors. While behaviorists argued that only external actions could be measured scientifically, Neisser championed the idea that understanding cognition was crucial for a full picture of human behavior. This shift not only opened up new avenues for research into complex mental processes but also laid the foundation for various applied fields like educational psychology and cognitive therapy.

Related terms

Cognitive Psychology: A branch of psychology that studies mental processes including how people think, learn, remember, and perceive.

Behaviorism: A psychological approach that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned, largely ignoring internal mental states.

Information Processing:

A cognitive approach that likens the mind to a computer, emphasizing how information is received, processed, and stored.