identify at least four key milestones in the development of cognitive psychology as a discipline

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "cognitive psychology history" to get these possible sources:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cognitive+psychology+history&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

What are the four key milestones in the development of cognitive psychology

To identify at least four key milestones in the development of cognitive psychology as a discipline, we need to understand the historical context and evolution of this field. The following milestones are considered vital in the development of cognitive psychology:

1. The Cognitive Revolution (1950s - 1960s):
The Cognitive Revolution is often regarded as the starting point of cognitive psychology as an independent discipline. During this period, psychologists began to shift their focus from behaviorism to the study of internal mental processes. Influential figures such as Ulric Neisser and George Miller advocated for investigating how humans perceive, think, solve problems, and remember. This shift led to a renewed interest in cognitive processes and laid the foundation for the development of cognitive psychology.

2. Information Processing Model (1960s - 1970s):
The Information Processing Model emerged as a prominent framework for understanding cognitive functioning. This model compares the human mind to a computer, suggesting that information is processed through specified stages such as input, transformation, storage, and output. Researchers like Herbert Simon and Allen Newell contributed to this model by developing theories of problem-solving and computer simulations of cognitive processes. The Information Processing Model revolutionized the study of cognition, providing a systematic framework for studying mental processes.

3. Development of Cognitive Neuroscience (1980s - 1990s):
In the 1980s and 1990s, advancements in brain imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), allowed researchers to directly observe the brain's structure and functioning. This development led to the emergence of cognitive neuroscience, bridging the gap between cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscientists, such as Michael Gazzaniga and Daniel Schacter, used these imaging techniques to explore the neural correlates of cognitive processes, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of cognition.

4. Emergence of Cognitive Developmental Psychology (1960s - 1970s):
Researchers like Jean Piaget played a crucial role in establishing cognitive development as a separate domain within cognitive psychology. Piaget's groundbreaking work emphasized the active role of children in constructing knowledge and understanding the world. His theory of cognitive development outlined stages of cognitive growth and proposed that intellectual development occurs through the interaction between individuals and their environment. The emergence of cognitive developmental psychology expanded the understanding of how cognitive processes evolve and develop across the lifespan.

These milestones in the development of cognitive psychology shaped and expanded the field, leading to its growth as a distinct discipline focused on understanding human cognition and mental processes.