What are the key milestones in the history of cognitive knowledge?

The history of cognitive knowledge is marked by several key milestones that have shaped our understanding of human thinking and mental processes. One of the earliest milestones is the birth of cognitive psychology in the mid-20th century, which emphasized the study of the mind and mental processes rather than merely observable behavior. Another significant milestone is the development of information processing models, such as the influential Atkinson-Shiffrin model, which proposed a three-stage process of memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. The advent of artificial intelligence and computer science in the 1950s also played a vital role in advancing the field of cognitive knowledge, as researchers began to explore cognitive processes through computer simulations. The discovery of mirror neurons in the 1990s, which are believed to underlie social cognition and empathy, opened new avenues for understanding the neural basis of cognition. The cognitive revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, led by figures like Ulric Neisser and George Miller, further solidified cognitive psychology as a prominent field and introduced concepts like attention, perception, and problem-solving into the mainstream. Overall, these milestones have paved the way for a deeper understanding of how our minds work and how cognitive processes are fundamental to our everyday experiences.

This mind map was published on 23 February 2024 and has been viewed 99 times.