Why did psychology neglect cognition in the 19th century?

There are several reasons why psychology neglected cognition in the 19th century:

1. Behaviorism: The dominant school of thought in psychology during the 19th century was behaviorism, which focused on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes. Behaviorists believed that studying cognition was not necessary or relevant to understanding human behavior.

2. Lack of technology: During the 19th century, there were limited tools and methods available for studying cognition. Without the technology to measure and study cognitive processes, psychologists were unable to conduct research in this area.

3. Philosophical influences: The philosophical ideas of empiricism and associationism, which were prevalent during the 19th century, also contributed to the neglect of cognition in psychology. These philosophies emphasized the importance of sensory experience and the association of ideas, rather than the study of mental processes.

4. Bias against introspection: Introspection, or the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings, was considered unreliable and unscientific by many psychologists in the 19th century. This bias against introspection further hindered the study of cognition.

Overall, a combination of theoretical, methodological, and philosophical factors contributed to the neglect of cognition in psychology during the 19th century. It was not until the emergence of cognitive psychology in the 20th century that cognition began to be recognized as a legitimate and important area of study in psychology.

Psychology neglected cognition in the 19th century because of the dominance of two competing schools of thought:

- Structuralism, led by Wilhelm Wundt, focused on breaking down mental processes into their most basic elements through introspection. This approach emphasized the study of sensations, feelings, and mental images, but largely ignored higher-level cognitive processes like thinking and problem-solving.

- Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson, rejected the idea of studying mental processes altogether, arguing that they were unobservable and therefore unscientific. Behaviorists instead focused on studying observable behaviors and the environmental stimuli that triggered them.

As a result of these dominant perspectives, cognition was largely ignored in psychological research during the 19th century. It was not until the rise of cognitive psychology in the 20th century that cognition became a central focus of study in psychology.