Research indicates that people do not spontaneously transfer prior clues to solve problems, even though the necessary information is available in memory. To investigate the effects of the symmetry between clue statements and problem statements on problem solving performance, subjects were asked to provide plausible explanations for five…

Cognitive factors related to problem solving have been explored, but affective factors also play an important role in the teaching of mathematical problem solving. This paper outlines the theories of George Mandler and Bernard Weiner, providing a useful background for research related to affect and problem solving. Data related to the two theories…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the alternative forms of young children's help-seeking in free play and problem-solving contexts. A total of 72 children aged 18 (N=36) and 24 (N=36) months were observed in pairs in free play and problem-solving settings, as well as in different social contexts--same-age versus mixed-age pairing. Both…

As part of an ongoing program of research to identify the difficulties encountered by novice programmers and to develop teaching strategies to help them overcome these obstacles, researchers employed a scaffolded interview procedure with 20 high school students enrolled in the second semester of a year-long BASIC course. Investigators presented…

Psychology stands in the paradoxical position of adhering to outmoded conceptions of knowledge while being looked upon as providing an instrument for a more adequate conception. Cognitive psychology's schema theory provides a conceptual equivalent to Kuhn's learned perception of similarity and the related notion of exemplar, which serves to…

Traditionally, research findings on family problem solving have been based on observational data from vignettes provided by the researcher. To examine problem solving in couple relationships from a participatory perspective, 27 married couples discussed a mutually relevant domestic problem, while being videotaped. Subsequently, each partner…

This document consists of three papers. The first, "A Parallel Model of (Sequential) Problem Solving," describes a parallel model designed to solve a class of relatively simple problems from elementary physics and discusses implications for models of problem-solving in general. It is shown that one of the most salient features of problem…

The focus of this paper is on cognitive science as a model for understanding the application of human skills toward effective problem-solving. Sections include: (1) "Introduction" (discussing information processing framework, expert-novice distinctions, schema theory, and learning process); (2) "Application: The Expert-Novice…

Reviews the problems of classifying gaming techniques and suggests a heuristic approach as one solution. Definitions of simulation, models, role, and game and play are discussed to help develop a classification based on a technique called gaming simulation. (Author/LRW)

Discusses an algorithm for developing problem solving simulations using microcomputers, and describes both the components of the simulation algorithm and the user interface. Examples of simulation and programming methods are presented. (MBR)

Relates the problem-solving behavior of second, fourth, and sixth graders to conceptual tempo. Correlations with indices of strategic and efficient performance on a pattern-matching task confirmed that reflectives are more strategic than impulsives. A task-analysis identified the sources of inefficiency for each child and related these sources to…

Assesses ability of subjects aged 3 to 6 and 10 to 12 to solve a problem by analogy. Subjects had to discover ways to transfer balls to a bowl; stories read first to some subjects included an analogous problem and its solution. Older children's use of analogies was similar to that of adults; younger children exhibited different limitations.…

Reports four experiments focusing on Piaget's claims that conservation and transitivity concepts are experienced as logically necessary truths. Two experiments examined feelings of certainty and necessity in college students presented with Piagetian tasks. Two other experiments extended these procedures to children and the issue of developmental…

Investigated use of analog tasks for determining difficulties that high school chemistry students (N=619) might encounter in solving molarity problems. One finding is that analog task used is a predictor of success on a molarity test. (Author/JN)

Administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the Problem Solving Inventory to 20 Black and 32 White inmates. Recidivists scored significantly higher on the impulsive scale of the Problem Solving Inventory. Demonstrated the utility of the MMPI and the PSI in discriminating between nonviolent and violent criminals. (Author/JAC)