This review considers the question as to whether there are generic problem-solving skills that cut across fields or whether the skills are so embedded within specific fields that they can be identified only within the contexts of those fields. To answer this question, an attempt was made to define both "problems" and their "solutions." Then the…

An interview investigation was undertaken in which a group of nurses and a group of technicians reasoned about evidence for the existence of a causal relation in a medical and in a technical case. A statement about the existence of the relation was presented and the subjects were then asked as to what evidence there might and should be behind such…

Research using expectancy models has shown contraceptive choice among adults to be a rational process in that intentions and behaviors reflect an individual's beliefs, values, attitudes, and perceptions of social norms. This study examined whether such an approach could accurately represent adolescents' contraceptive decision-making. It used the…

This study attempted to extend prior research on everyday problem solving by analyzing the effects of goal clarity and the presence or absence of a partner on performance in a number of problems. Subjects were 35 undergraduates who were screened, matched, and tested as singles or dyads during which time they thought aloud. Problems included mazes,…

A theory of adult cognitive development which includes two post-formal operational stages is described. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section provides background for discussion of the theory. A case study in which various employees in a hypothetical organization react to a problem is provided. Examples of pre-logical,…

Simple and complex addition problems were presented for true/false verification to 30 undergraduate students to test a general model for cognitive addition. Problems were presented on a microcomputer, with reaction time (RT) and response accuracy recorded. Models for addition were fit to average RT data using multiple regression techniques. These…

This discussion of some of the research literature that is relevant to the issue of teaching thinking provides descriptions of hypothetical, ideal thinkers, and problem solvers; considers the problem of teaching thinking and problem solving; and explores the issue of evaluating programs so that they can be revised and improved. Following Bransford…

The relative importance of spatial-position as a memory aid in a block pattern reproduction task was investigated by analyzing the object-selection and object-placement strategies of 69 nursery school children. Subjects were given a task modeled on Piaget's assessment of Static Reproductive Images and Action that had been modified into a…

Three preliminary studies and one exploratory main study investigated the effect of calculator use on elementary, middle, and secondary school students' solution methods on routine mathematical problems. Items were identified for which a longer and a shorter solution method existed. Half of the sample worked these using a calculator and half used…

DIFFERENCES WERE STUDIED AMONG NEUROTIC AND SCHIZOPHRENIC PERFORMANCES, ELICITED BY THE WECHSLER-BELLEVUE ADULT INTELLIGENCE SCALE (PICTURE ARRANGEMENT SUBTEST). TWO GROUPS OF 40 ABNORMAL ADULT SUBJECTS WITH INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENTS BETWEEN 84 AND 116 WERE TESTED. ONE-HALF OF THE SUBJECTS WERE SCHIZOPHRENIC. SUBJECTS WERE REQUIRED TO ARRANGE CARDS…

This study examined the development of young children's ability to solve linear patterning problems and investigated constructs of logical thinking which underlie the hierarachical order of the cognitive processes involved. A total of 252 children ranging in age from 4 through 7 years participated in the study. A range of ability and socioeconomic…

In this paper, Simon describes contemporary information processing approaches to the study of learning and thinking, and discusses the relevance of these studies to the distinction between rote and meaningful learning. Before defining the basic terminology of information processing research, he provides a brief literature review, describing some…

The Affective Involvement Instrument (AII) describes and classifies affective involvement in the process of decision-making as it occurs during classroom activities such as role-playing or group discussions. The thirty-celled instrument behaviorizes the six processes involved in decision-making and combines them with the taxonomic levels of the…