Which one of the following statements best describes the history of contemporary cognitive theory?
A) It has been a major force guiding learning research ever since the work of Tolman and the Gestaltists in the 1930s.
B) It has been the dominant perspective in learning research only in the past five or six decades.
C) Its roots can be traced to the work of verbal learning theory, which in turn evolved from Jean Piaget's research in Switzerland.
D) It gained prominence only when psychologists began to cast aside the need for objectivity in psychological research.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Contemporary cognitive theory has been the dominant perspective in learning research only in the past five or six decades, which means it gained prominence relatively recently. While the work of Tolman and the Gestaltists in the 1930s certainly contributed to cognitive theory, it was not the beginning nor the major force guiding it. Verbal learning theory and Piaget's research are also important precursors to cognitive theory, but they do not represent its entire history. The idea that cognitive theory only gained prominence when psychologists rejected objectivity is not accurate either.

Which One of the Following Statements Best Describes the History