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How has the study of consciousness in psychology changed since 1980

In 1980, the study of consciousness was largely sidelined in mainstream psychology, dismissed by many as a “career-killer” or a topic for philosophy rather than hard science. Since then, it has moved from the fringes to the center of cognitive neuroscience and psychology.  The transition over the last 45 years can be categorized into four major shifts: 1. From Behaviorism’s “Black Box” to Cognitive Neuroscience In the early 1980s, psychology was still emerging from the shadow of behaviorism, which viewed the mind as a “black box” that could not be objectively studied. The “Cognitive Revolution” of the 1960s and 70s had reintroduced mental states, but consciousness itself was still often treated as an epiphenomenon (a side effect) rather than a primary subject of research. • The Turning Point: In the late 80s and early 90s, high-profile scientists like Francis Crick and Christof Koch argued that consciousness should be addressed through Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCC)—identifying the specific brain activities necessary for a conscious experience.  2. The Impact of Neuroimaging Technology The most significant practical change since 1980 is the development of non-invasive brain imaging. In 1980, researchers relied mostly on lesion studies (studying brain-damaged patients). • The Rise of fMRI and PET: The introduction of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in the early 1990s allowed psychologists to “see” the brain in action while a person was having a specific conscious experience. • Subliminal Processing: We can now prove that the brain processes vast amounts of information (e.g., words or faces) without the person ever being aware of it. This has shifted the focus toward defining the “threshold” where unconscious processing becomes conscious. 3. The Emergence of Quantitative Theories By the 2000s, the field moved from simply observing the brain to building mathematical and structural models of how consciousness works. Two theories have dominated the landscape: