The Psychology of Problem Solving

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771

Problems are a central part of human life. The Psychology of Problem Solving organizes in one volume much of what psychologists know about problem solving and the factors that contribute to its success or failure. There are chapters by leading experts in this field, including Miriam Bassok, Randall Engle, Anders Ericsson, Arthur Graesser, Keith Stanovich, Norbert Schwarz, and Barry Zimmerman, among others. The Psychology of Problem Solving is divided into four parts. Following an introduction that reviews the nature of problems and the history and methods of the field, Part II focuses on individual differences in, and the influence of, the abilities and skills that humans bring to problem situations. Part III examines motivational and emotional states and cognitive strategies that influence problem solving performance, while Part IV summarizes and integrates the various views of problem solving proposed in the preceding chapters.

‘A good book on any subject should summarise the current state of knowledge, and point to the important areas where further work is needed, and this book does both. Overall, this is a very stimulating collection, which all researchers in problem solving will wish to consult.’

Source: Trends in Cognitive Sciences

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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Contributors
pp vii-viii
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Preface
pp ix-xii
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Robert J. Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education, Yale University; Director, Yale Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center)
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PART I - INTRODUCTION
pp 1-2
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Robert J. Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education, Yale University; Director, Yale Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center)
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1 - Recognizing, Defining, and Representing Problems
pp 3-30
- By Jean E. Pretz, Yale University, Adam J. Naples, Yale University, Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University
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2 - The Acquisition of Expert Performance as Problem Solving: Construction and Modification of Mediating Mechanisms through Deliberate Practice
pp 31-84
- By K. Anders Ericsson, Florida State University
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PART II - RELEVANT ABILITIES AND SKILLS
pp 85-86
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Robert J. Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education, Yale University; Director, Yale Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center)
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3 - Is Success or Failure at Solving Complex Problems Related to Intellectual Ability?
pp 87-126
- By Dorit Wenke, Humboldt-University at Berlin, Peter A. Frensch, Humboldt-University at Berlin
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4 - Creativity: A Source of Difficulty in Problem Solving
pp 127-148
- By Todd I. Lubart, Université René Descartes, Paris, Christophe Mouchiroud, Université René Descartes, Paris
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5 - Insights about Insightful Problem Solving
pp 149-175
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College
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6 - The Role of Working Memory in Problem Solving
pp 176-206
- By David Z. Hambrick, Michigan State University, Randall W. Engle, Georgia Institute of Technology
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7 - Comprehension of Text in Problem Solving
pp 207-230
- By Shannon Whitten, The University of Memphis, Arthur C. Graesser, The University of Memphis
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PART III - STATES AND STRATEGIES
pp 231-232
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Robert J. Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education, Yale University; Director, Yale Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center)
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8 - Motivating Self-Regulated Problem Solvers
pp 233-262
- By Barry J. Zimmerman, Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, Magda Campillo, Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York
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9 - Feeling and Thinking: Implications for Problem Solving
pp 263-290
- By Norbert Schwarz, University of Michigan, Ian Skurnik, University of Michigan
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10 - The Fundamental Computational Biases of Human Cognition: Heuristics That (Sometimes) Impair Decision Making and Problem Solving
pp 291-342
- By Keith E. Stanovich, University of Toronto
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11 - Analogical Transfer in Problem Solving
pp 343-370
- By Miriam Bassok, University of Washington
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PART IV - CONCLUSION AND INTEGRATION
pp 371-372
- By Janet E. Davidson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Robert J. Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education, Yale University; Director, Yale Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center)
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12 - Problem Solving – Large/Small, Hard/Easy, Conscious/Nonconscious, Problem-Space/Problem-Solver: The Issue of Dichotomization
pp 373-384
- By Kenneth Kotovsky, Carnegie Mellon University
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Index
pp 385-394
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The Psychology of Problem Solving

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

Contributors
pp vii-viii

Preface
pp ix-xii

PART I - INTRODUCTION
pp 1-2

1 - Recognizing, Defining, and Representing Problems
pp 3-30

2 - The Acquisition of Expert Performance as Problem Solving: Construction and Modification of Mediating Mechanisms through Deliberate Practice
pp 31-84

PART II - RELEVANT ABILITIES AND SKILLS
pp 85-86

3 - Is Success or Failure at Solving Complex Problems Related to Intellectual Ability?
pp 87-126

4 - Creativity: A Source of Difficulty in Problem Solving
pp 127-148

5 - Insights about Insightful Problem Solving
pp 149-175

6 - The Role of Working Memory in Problem Solving
pp 176-206

7 - Comprehension of Text in Problem Solving
pp 207-230

PART III - STATES AND STRATEGIES
pp 231-232

8 - Motivating Self-Regulated Problem Solvers
pp 233-262

9 - Feeling and Thinking: Implications for Problem Solving
pp 263-290

10 - The Fundamental Computational Biases of Human Cognition: Heuristics That (Sometimes) Impair Decision Making and Problem Solving
pp 291-342

11 - Analogical Transfer in Problem Solving
pp 343-370

PART IV - CONCLUSION AND INTEGRATION
pp 371-372

12 - Problem Solving – Large/Small, Hard/Easy, Conscious/Nonconscious, Problem-Space/Problem-Solver: The Issue of Dichotomization
pp 373-384

Index
pp 385-394

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The Psychology of Problem Solving

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