Ulric Neisser

Cognition is the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge.

The term 'cognitive psychology' refers to all processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used. It is concerned with these processes even when they operate in the absence of relevant stimulation, as in images and hallucinations. ... Given such a sweeping definition, it is apparent that cognitive psychology is coextensive with the whole of psychology, and that it is not merely a branch within it.

We do not see the world as it is, but as we are.

Perception is not a passive reception of information, but an active construction.

Ecological validity is the sine qua non of any useful psychological experiment.

Memory is not a tape recorder; it is a constructive process.

Flashbulb memories are not immune to distortion, despite their vividness and our confidence in them.

The study of memory must move beyond the laboratory and into the real world.

Psychology has been too long content with studying isolated processes in artificial settings.

The mind is not a computer, though it shares some properties with one.

We need to understand how people actually use their minds in everyday life.

The 'cognitive revolution' was not a revolution at all, but a gradual evolution.

The problem with much of cognitive psychology is that it has lost touch with reality.

The future of cognitive psychology lies in its integration with other disciplines.

The study of intelligence must consider the context in which it operates.

Intelligence is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic interaction with the environment.

The self is not a static entity, but a continually constructed narrative.

Our memories are not just records of the past, but tools for navigating the present and future.

The study of perception should be grounded in the study of action.

We are not passive recipients of information, but active seekers and interpreters.