
Contents
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Overview Overview
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Problem Representation: The Gestalt Legacy Problem Representation: The Gestalt Legacy
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Search in a Problem Space: The Legacy of Newell and Simon Search in a Problem Space: The Legacy of Newell and Simon
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The Two Legacies Converge The Two Legacies Converge
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Relevance of the Gestalt Ideas to the Solution of Search Problems Relevance of the Gestalt Ideas to the Solution of Search Problems
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Problem Isomorphs Problem Isomorphs
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Expertise and Its Development Expertise and Its Development
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Relevance of Search to Insight Solutions Relevance of Search to Insight Solutions
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Summary Summary
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Effects of Perception and Knowledge in Problem Solving in Academic Disciplines Effects of Perception and Knowledge in Problem Solving in Academic Disciplines
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The Role of Visual Perception The Role of Visual Perception
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The Role of Background Knowledge The Role of Background Knowledge
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Conclusions and Future Directions Conclusions and Future Directions
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Reference Reference
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21 Problem Solving
Get accessMiriam Bassok, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Laura R. Novick, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
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Published:21 November 2012
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Abstract
This chapter follows the historical development of research on problem solving. It begins with a description of two research traditions that addressed different aspects of the problem-solving process: (1) research on problem representation (the Gestalt legacy) that examined how people understand the problem at hand, and (2) research on search in a problem space (the legacy of Newell and Simon) that examined how people generate the problem's solution. It then describes some developments in the field that fueled the integration of these two lines of research: work on problem isomorphs, on expertise in specific knowledge domains (e.g., chess, mathematics), and on insight solutions. Next, it presents examples of recent work on problem solving in science and mathematics that highlight the impact of visual perception and background knowledge on how people represent problems and search for problem solutions. The final section considers possible directions for future research.
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