History of Cognitive Psychology Quiz

Franciscus Donders pioneered a scientific method to make the mind immeasurable.

Psychology as a scientific discipline has more philosophical antecedents than empirical evidence.

Rationalism suggests acquiring knowledge through experimentation and observation.

Empiricism emphasizes acquiring knowledge through experience and observation.

Modern psychology is primarily a theoretical science.

Early pioneers of Cognitive Psychology abandoned the study of the mind.

Psychology is considered a very old scientific discipline with limited philosophical influence.

Franciscus Donders conducted his first cognitive psychology experiments after the founding of the first psychology laboratory by Wundt.

The method pioneered by Donders in cognitive psychology experiments is no longer used today.

The cognitive revolution marked a shift towards understanding the power of our minds and errors in cognitive systems.

Early Foundations of Cognitive Psychology

Attention is defined as the mind's ability to focus on one object among multiple possibilities, requiring the withdrawal from other stimuli.
William James emphasized the importance of attention as integral to cognitive processes.

Behaviourism: A Shift Away from the Mind

John Watson proposed behaviourism in 1913, denouncing the study of introspection as unscientific.
The behaviourist approach prioritizes observable behavior in response to stimuli over "invisible" mental processes.
This shift represented a significant departure, leading to a lack of focus on understanding mental functions.

Significant Contributions and Innovations

Simon and Cliff Shaw developed the "Logic Theorist" in 1956, an early AI program capable of solving mathematical problems like human reasoning.
Advances in artificial intelligence showcase parallels with modern AI systems such as DALL-E and ChatGPT.

Technological Advances in Studying the Mind

New methods evolved for studying cognitive processes:
- 1929: First non-invasive EEG recordings.
- 1937: Introduction of magnetoencephalography (MEG) for brain activity study.
- 1968: First fMRI scan initiated to measure brain function.
- 1972: Introduction of the first eye tracker for non-intrusive observation.
- 1990: The release of the first MRI scanner for brain imaging.

Modern Cognitive Psychology Approaches

Current research utilizes a behavioural approach that examines the relationship between stimuli and behavior through experiments such as reaction time and memory tests.
A physiological approach explores how stimuli relate to physiological responses, utilizing tools like EEG/MEG and fMRI in research.

Test your knowledge on the pioneers of cognitive psychology and their contributions with this quiz. The quiz is based on a brief history from James' 'Principles of Psychology'. See how well you understand the principles and key concepts of cognitive psychology.