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Ulric NeisserAmerican psychologist
Date of Birth: 08.12.1928
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic Career
- Cognitive Psychology
- Rejection of Information Processing Model
- Support for Direct Perception
- Other Work
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
Ulrich Neisser was born in Kiel, Germany. In 1931, his family immigrated to the United States. He earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1950 and his master's degree from Swarthmore College in 1952. In 1956, he received his doctorate from Harvard University.
Academic Career
Neisser began his teaching career at Brandeis University before moving to Cornell University. He also served as a professor at Emory University. He made significant contributions to the field of cognitive psychology.
Cognitive Psychology
Neisser is best known for his 1967 book "Cognitive Psychology," which became a seminal work in the field. He argued that cognitive processes, such as perception, memory, and language, should be the focus of psychological research.
Rejection of Information Processing Model
In his 1976 book "Cognition and Reality," Neisser criticized the dominant information processing model in cognitive psychology. He argued that it did not adequately account for the complexity of human cognition and that it failed to connect research to real-world contexts.
Support for Direct Perception
Neisser proposed that cognitive psychology should draw on the work of James and Eleanor Gibson on direct perception. He believed that human behavior could be better understood by studying the information available to the senses rather than relying solely on internal processes.
Other Work
In 1998, Neisser published "The Rising Curve: Long-Term Gains in IQ and Related Measures," a report based on the work of an American Psychological Association committee. He also made significant contributions to the study of memory, attention, and ecological psychology.
Legacy
Ulrich Neisser was a pioneering figure in cognitive psychology. His work shaped the field and continues to influence researchers today. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and received numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Sloan Award.
