| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Psychology of Problem Solving Janet E. Davidson, Robert J. Sternberg, 2003-06-09 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. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Problem Solving S. Ian Robertson, 2001 Problem solving is an integral part of everyday life yet few books are dedicated to this important aspect of human cognition. In each case, the problem, such as solving a crossword or writing an essay, has a goal. In this comprehensive and timely textbook, the author discusses the psychological processes underlying such goal-directed problem solving, and examines both how we learn from experience of problem solving and how our learning transfers (or often fails to transfer) from one situation to another. Following initial coverage of the methods we use to solve unfamiliar problems, the book goes on to examine the psychological processes involved in novice problem solving before progressing to the methods and processes used by skilled problem solvers or experts. Topics covered include: how we generate a useful representation of a problem as a starting point; general problem solving strategies we use in unfamiliar situations; possible processes involved in insight or lateral thinking; the nature of problem similarity and the role of analogies in problem solving; understanding and learning from textbooks; and how we develop expertise through the learning of specific problem solving skills. Clear, up-to-date and accessible, Problem Solving will be of interest to undergraduates and postgraduates in cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and educational psychology. The focus on the practical transfer of learning through problem solving will also make it of relevance to educationalists and business psychologists. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Problem Solving S. Ian Robertson, 2016-11-10 The way that we assess and overcome problems is an essential part of everyday life. Problem Solving provides a clear introduction to the underlying mental processes involved in solving problems. Drawing on research from cognitive psychology and neuroscience, it examines the methods and techniques used by both novices and experts in familiar and unfamiliar situations. This edition has been comprehensively updated throughout, and now features cutting-edge content on creative problem solving, insight and neuroscience. Each chapter is written in an accessible way, and contains a range of student-friendly features such as activities, chapter summaries and further reading. The book also provides clear examples of studies and approaches that help the reader fully understand important and complex concepts in greater detail. Problem Solving fully engages the reader with the difficulties and methodologies associated with problem solving. This book will be of great use to undergraduate students of cognitive psychology, education and neuroscience, as well as readers and professionals with an interest in problem solving. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Applications of Cognitive Psychology , 1987 |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology Ronald T. Kellogg, 2015-01-07 With its reader-friendly style, this concise text offers a solid introduction to the fundamental concepts of cognitive psychology. Covering neuroimaging, emotion, and cognitive development, author Ronald T. Kellogg integrates the latest developments in cognitive neuroscience for a cutting-edge exploration of the field today. With new pedagogy, relevant examples, and an expanded full-color insert, Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology, Third Edition is sure to engage students interested in an accessible and applied approach to cognitive psychology. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Complex Problem Solving Robert J. Sternberg, Peter A. Frensch, 2014-01-14 Although complex problem solving has emerged as a field of psychology in its own right, the literature is, for the most part, widely scattered, and often so technical that it is inaccessible to non-experts. This unique book provides a comprehensive, in-depth, and accessible introduction to the field of complex problem solving. Chapter authors -- experts in their selected domains -- deliver systematic, thought-provoking analyses generally written from an information-processing point of view. Areas addressed include politics, electronics, and computers. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Psychology Of Problem Solving, The: The Background To Successful Mathematics Thinking Alfred S Posamentier, Gary Kose, Danielle Sauro Virgadamo, Kathleen Keefe-cooperman, 2019-08-21 The art or skill of problem solving in mathematics is mostly relegated to the strategies one can use to solve problems in the field. Although this book addresses that issue, it delves deeply into the psychological aspects that affect successful problem-solving. Such topics as decision-making, judgment, and reasoning as well as using memory effectively and a discussion of the thought processes that could help address certain problem-solving situations.Most books that address problem-solving and mathematics focus on the various skills. This book goes beyond that and investigates the psychological aspects to solving problems in mathematics. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Thinking and Problem Solving Richard E. Mayer, 1977 |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Memory, Thinking and Language (PLE: Memory) Judith Greene, 2014-05-09 In the ten years prior to its original publication in 1987, cognitive psychology uncovered the increasingly important role of knowledge stored in memory and the integrated nature of cognitive processes. In Memory, Thinking and Language the author takes these three traditional topics and places them within the new cognitive approach. Judith Greene’s 1975 book Thinking and Language, proved to be a highly successful student resource. This book provides an equally clear introduction to complex ideas. It also emphasises the practical applications of cognitive psychology for teaching and learning as well as for everyday life. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Psychology of Thinking John Paul Minda, 2015-09-26 How do we define thinking? Is it simply memory, perception and motor activity or perhaps something more complex such as reasoning and decision making? This book argues that thinking is an intricate mix of all these things and a very specific coordination of cognitive resources. Divided into three key sections, there are chapters on the organization of human thought, general reasoning and thinking and behavioural outcomes of thinking. These three overarching themes provide a broad theoretical framework with which to explore wider issues in cognition and cognitive psychology and there are chapters on motivation and language plus a strong focus on problem solving, reasoning and decision making – all of which are central to a solid understanding of this field. The book also explores the cognitive processes behind perception and memory, how we might differentiate expertise from skilled, competent performance and the interaction between language, culture and thought. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Cognitive Psychology of Planning Robin Morris, Geoff Ward, 2004-12-01 The Cognitive Psychology of Planning assesses recent advances in the scientific study of the cognitive processes involved in formulating, evaluating and selecting a sequence of thoughts and actions to achieve a goal. Approaches discussed range from those which look at planning in terms of problem-solving behaviour to those which look at how we control thoughts and actions within the frameworks of attention, working memory or executive function. Topics covered include: simple to complex tasks, well- and ill-defined problems and the effects of age and focal brain damage on planning. This survey of recent work in the cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology of planning will be an invaluable resource for anyone studying or researching in the fields of thinking and reasoning, memory and attention. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Insight and Creativity in Problem Solving Kenneth J. Gilhooly, Linden J. Ball, Laura Macchi, 2019-10-23 To date we have only a fragmentary understanding of the thought processes that engender insightful solutions to problems that require a change in representation or the discovery of distant associations to presented information. We likewise have only a piecemeal understanding of the thinking that underpins creative problem solving, where solutions are needed that are new to the solver. Recently there has been a growing interest in removing the mystery from insight and creativity through better specified theories and theory-driven experimentation. The chapters in this volume reflect key developments in this expanding field of insight and creativity research. Collectively, the chapters converge on a nuanced view of insight and creative thinking as often arising from the interplay between two qualitatively distinct types of processes that interact to yield sudden, surprising and innovative solutions to problems that initially seemed impenetrable and resistant to the application of inventive ideas. This dual-process perspective, which capitalises on the distinction between ‘special’ (automatic, unconscious and associative) Type 1 processes and ‘routine’ (controlled, conscious and analytic) Type 2 processes, helps advance a theoretical understanding of insight and creativity, whilst also provoking important new research questions. This book was originally published as a special issue of Thinking and Reasoning. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Complex Problem Solving Peter A. Frensch, Joachim Funke, 2014-04-04 This volume presents a state-of-the-science review of the most promising current European research -- and its historic roots of research -- on complex problem solving (CPS) in Europe. It is an attempt to close the knowledge gap among American scholars regarding the European approach to understanding CPS. Although most of the American researchers are well aware of the fact that CPS has been a very active research area in Europe for quite some time, they do not know any specifics about even the most important research. Part of the reason for this lack of knowledge is undoubtedly the fact that European researchers -- for the most part -- have been rather reluctant to publish their work in English-language journals. The book concentrates on European research because the basic approach European scholars have taken to studying CPS is very different from one taken by North American researchers. Traditionally, American scholars have been studying CPS in natural domains -- physics, reading, writing, and chess playing -- concentrating primarily on exploring novice-expert differences and the acquisition of a complex skill. European scholars, in contrast, have been primarily concerned with problem solving behavior in artificially generated, mostly computerized, complex systems. While the American approach has the advantage of high external validity, the European approach has the advantage of system variables that can be systematically manipulated to reveal the effects of system parameters on CPS behavior. The two approaches are thus best viewed as complementing each other. This volume contains contributions from four European countries -- Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Germany. As such, it accurately represents the bulk of empirical research on CPS which has been conducted in Europe. An international cooperation started two years ago with the goal of bringing the European research on complex problem solving to the awareness of American scholars. A direct result of that effort, the contributions to this book are both informative and comprehensive. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Thinking and Problem Solving Robert J. Sternberg, 2013-10-22 Thinking and Problem-Solving presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review of literature on cognition, reasoning, intelligence, and other formative areas specific to this field. Written for advanced undergraduates, researchers, and academics, this volume is a necessary reference for beginning and established investigators in cognitive and educational psychology. Thinking and Problem-Solving provides insight into questions such as: how do people solve complex problems in mathematics and everyday life? How do we generate new ideas? How do we piece together clues to solve a mystery, categorize novel events, and teach others to do the same? - Provides a comprehensive literature review - Covers both historical and contemporary approaches - Organized for ease of use and reference - Chapters authored by leading scholars |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Thinking, Problem Solving, Cognition Richard E. Mayer, 1983 A balanced survey of the higher cognitive processes--human thinking, problem solving, and learning which reflects important research developments and classic theories of problem solving. Intended for courses in cognitive psychology, learning and memory, problem solving, critical-thinking, and educational psychology. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive Psychology Sandie Taylor, Lance Workman, 2021-09-15 Cognitive Psychology: The Basics provides a compact introduction to the core topics in the field, discussing the science behind the everyday cognitive phenomena experienced by us all. The book considers laboratory and applied theory and research alongside technological developments to demonstrate how our understanding of the brain’s role in cognition is improving all the time. Alongside coverage of traditional topics in the field, including attention and perception; learning and memory; thinking, problem-solving and decision-making; and language, the book also discusses developments in interrelated areas, such as neuroscience and computational cognitive science. New perspectives, including the contribution of evolutionary psychology to our understanding of cognition are also considered before a thoughtful discussion of future research directions. Using real-world examples throughout, the authors explain in an accessible and student-friendly manner the role our human cognition plays in all aspects of our lives. It is an essential introductory text suitable for all students of Cognitive Psychology and related disciplines. It will also be an ideal read for any reader interested in the role of the brain in human behavior. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Problem-solving Karla Newton, 2016 Life is a series of coping with a variety of problems. Major or minor problems arise for us all the time, and our life is filled with them. Thus, we need to engage in constant problem-solving in our daily lives. This book reviews strategies, challenges and outcomes of problem-solving. Chapter One discusses computational thinking and fuzzy logic in problem solving. Chapter Two reviews digital technologies and mathematical problem solving. Chapter Three deals with the concept of Einstellung effect a psychological phenomenon evinced by problem solvers through a tendency (mind set) to use previously learned workable strategy in situations that either can be resolved more efficiently or to which the strategy is not applicable at all. Chapter Four gives an overview of the research on the use of narrative Context Rich Problems (CRP) in physics education at the upper secondary and higher education levels. Chapter Five examines teaching and assessing story problems. Chapter Six assesses the interpersonal problem-solving process. Chapter Seven discusses validations and outcomes of a multi-dimensional scale to measure strategies for solving personal problems. In Chapter Eight, the ability for solving problems in our day-to-day lives, called social problem-solving is addressed. Chapter Nine examines the relationship between social problem solving and some mediator and moderator variables among 12- and 16-year-old Hungarian students. Chapter Ten investigates the effect of improving young students self-regulatory strategies on their persistence to face and overcome cognitive obstacles and their problem-solving ability. Chapter Eleven discusses improving undergraduate student generic problem solving skills by using problem-based learning in large classroom settings. Chapter Twelve presents problem-solving therapy (PST) as an effective intervention to prevent or reduce psychopathology and to enhance positive well-being by helping individuals cope more effectively with stressful life problems. Chapter Thirteen investigates the status of Problem Solving in our modern society, and explores perspectives in the forthcoming Third Industrial Revolution. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Affect and Mathematical Problem Solving Douglas B. McLeod, Verna M. Adams, 2012-12-06 Research on cognitive aspects of mathematical problem solving has made great progress in recent years, but the relationship of affective factors to problem-solving performance has been a neglected research area. The purpose of Affect and Mathematical Problem Solving: A New Perspective is to show how the theories and methods of cognitive science can be extended to include the role of affect in mathematical problem solving. The book presents Mandler's theory of emotion and explores its implications for the learning and teaching of mathematical problem solving. Also, leading researchers from mathematics, education, and psychology report how they have integrated affect into their own cognitive research. The studies focus on metacognitive processes, aesthetic influences on expert problem solvers, teacher decision-making, technology and teaching problem solving, and beliefs about mathematics. The results suggest how emotional factors like anxiety, frustration, joy, and satisfaction can help or hinder performance in problem solving. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive Psychology Michael W. Eysenck, Mark T. Keane, 2005 This fifth edition of the best-selling international cognitive psychology textbook has been substantially updated and restructured to reflect new developments in cognitive psychology, and made more student-friendly. Established approaches covered in depth include: Experimental cognitive psychology Cognitive science with its focus on modelling Cognitive neuropsychology with its focus on cognition following brain damage. Extensive new material in this edition includes: Cognitive neuroscience approaches such as brain scanning and imaging studies which illustrate the principles of brain function New material on consciousness. Throughout, the new material is fully integrated with more traditional approaches to create a comprehensive, coherent and totally current overview of perception, attention, memory, concepts, language, problem solving, judgement and reasoning. A two-colour design, plus a rich array of supplementary multimedia materials, make this edition more accessible and entertaining for students. The multimedia materials include: A PowerPoint lecture course and MCQ Test Bank free to qualifying adopters A unique web-based Student Learning Program. This is an interactive revision program incorporating a rich array of multimedia resources including interactive exercises and demonstrations, and active reference links to journal articles. This is offered on a subscription basis to departments adopting the text. A free demonstration of a sample chapter is available to potential subscribers at http: //www.psypress.com/ek5/ . |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Group Problem Solving Patrick R. Laughlin, 2011-01-24 Experimental research by social and cognitive psychologists has established that cooperative groups solve a wide range of problems better than individuals. Cooperative problem solving groups of scientific researchers, auditors, financial analysts, air crash investigators, and forensic art experts are increasingly important in our complex and interdependent society. This comprehensive textbook--the first of its kind in decades--presents important theories and experimental research about group problem solving. The book focuses on tasks that have demonstrably correct solutions within mathematical, logical, scientific, or verbal systems, including algebra problems, analogies, vocabulary, and logical reasoning problems. The book explores basic concepts in group problem solving, social combination models, group memory, group ability and world knowledge tasks, rule induction problems, letters-to-numbers problems, evidence for positive group-to-individual transfer, and social choice theory. The conclusion proposes ten generalizations that are supported by the theory and research on group problem solving. Group Problem Solving is an essential resource for decision-making research in social and cognitive psychology, but also extremely relevant to multidisciplinary and multicultural problem-solving teams in organizational behavior, business administration, management, and behavioral economics. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive Psychology For Dummies Peter J. Hills, Michael Pake, 2016-04-11 Demystify the core concepts of cognitive psychology Written specifically for psychology students – and not other academics - Cognitive Psychology For Dummies is an accessible and entertaining introduction to the field. Unlike the dense and jargon-laden content found in most psychology textbooks, this practical guide provides readers with easy-to-understand explanations of the fundamental elements of cognitive psychology so that they are able obtain a firm grasp of the material. Cognitive Psychology For Dummies follows the structure of a typical university course, which makes it the perfect supplement for students in need of a clear and enjoyable overview of the topic. The complexities of a field that explores internal mental processes – including the study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems – can be overwhelming for first-year psychology students. This practical resource cuts through the academic-speak to provide a clear understanding of the most important elements of cognitive psychology. Obtain a practical understanding of the core concepts of cognitive psychology Supplement required course reading with clear and easy-to-understand overviews Gain confidence in your ability to apply your knowledge of cognitive psychology Prepare for upcoming exams or topic discussions Cognitive Psychology For Dummies is the perfect resource for psychology students who need a clear and readable overview of the core concepts of cognitive psychology. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning Norbert M. Seel, 2011-10-05 Over the past century, educational psychologists and researchers have posited many theories to explain how individuals learn, i.e. how they acquire, organize and deploy knowledge and skills. The 20th century can be considered the century of psychology on learning and related fields of interest (such as motivation, cognition, metacognition etc.) and it is fascinating to see the various mainstreams of learning, remembered and forgotten over the 20th century and note that basic assumptions of early theories survived several paradigm shifts of psychology and epistemology. Beyond folk psychology and its naïve theories of learning, psychological learning theories can be grouped into some basic categories, such as behaviorist learning theories, connectionist learning theories, cognitive learning theories, constructivist learning theories, and social learning theories. Learning theories are not limited to psychology and related fields of interest but rather we can find the topic of learning in various disciplines, such as philosophy and epistemology, education, information science, biology, and – as a result of the emergence of computer technologies – especially also in the field of computer sciences and artificial intelligence. As a consequence, machine learning struck a chord in the 1980s and became an important field of the learning sciences in general. As the learning sciences became more specialized and complex, the various fields of interest were widely spread and separated from each other; as a consequence, even presently, there is no comprehensive overview of the sciences of learning or the central theoretical concepts and vocabulary on which researchers rely. The Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning provides an up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the specific terms mostly used in the sciences of learning and its related fields, including relevant areas of instruction, pedagogy, cognitive sciences, and especially machine learning and knowledge engineering. This modern compendium will be an indispensable source of information for scientists, educators, engineers, and technical staff active in all fields of learning. More specifically, the Encyclopedia provides fast access to the most relevant theoretical terms provides up-to-date, broad and authoritative coverage of the most important theories within the various fields of the learning sciences and adjacent sciences and communication technologies; supplies clear and precise explanations of the theoretical terms, cross-references to related entries and up-to-date references to important research and publications. The Encyclopedia also contains biographical entries of individuals who have substantially contributed to the sciences of learning; the entries are written by a distinguished panel of researchers in the various fields of the learning sciences. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology David Groome, Hazel Dewart, 1999 This is a comprehensive undergraduate textbook which provides, in a single volume, chapters on both normal cognitive function and related clinical disorder. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive and Psychometric Analysis of Analogical Problem Solving Isaac I. Bejar, Roger Chaffin, Susan E. Embretson, 1991 |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: An Introduction to Applied Cognitive Psychology Anthony Esgate, David Groome, 2005 This book offers a student friendly review of recent research in the application of cognitive methods, theories and models to real-world scenarios. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Educational Research and Innovation The Nature of Problem Solving Using Research to Inspire 21st Century Learning OECD, 2017-04-11 Solving non-routine problems is a key competence in a world full of changes, uncertainty and surprise where we strive to achieve so many ambitious goals. But the world is also full of solutions because of the extraordinary competences of humans who search for and find them. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Problem Solving Hank Kahney, 1993 Presenting an analysis of problem structures and the strategies used in solving problems, this book explores the concept of humans as active processors of information. It also introduces a representative selection of different research methods, and encourages the reader, by means of activities, to become a participant in cognitive psychology. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: A Companion to Cognitive Science William Bechtel, George Graham, 1999-09-10 Unmatched in the quality of its world-renowned contributors, this multidisciplinary companion serves as both a course text and a reference book across the broad spectrum of issues of concern to cognitive science. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive and Metacognitive Problem-Solving Strategies in Post-16 Physics Ronald Mazorodze, Michael J. Reiss, 2019-09-20 This book reports on a study on physics problem solving in real classrooms situations. Problem solving plays a pivotal role in the physics curriculum at all levels. However, physics students’ performance in problem solving all too often remains limited to basic routine problems, with evidence of poor performance in solving problems that go beyond equation retrieval and substitution. Adopting an action research methodology, the study bridges the `research-practical divide ́ by explicitly teaching physics problem-solving strategies through collaborative group problem-solving sessions embedded within the curriculum. Data were collected using external assessments and video recordings of individual and collaborative group problem-solving sessions by 16-18 year-olds. The analysis revealed a positive shift in the students’ problem-solving patterns, both at group and individual level. Students demonstrated a deliberate, well-planned deployment of the taught strategies. The marked positive shifts in collaborative competences, cognitive competences, metacognitive processing and increased self-efficacy are positively correlated with attainment in problem solving in physics. However, this shift proved to be due to different mechanisms triggered in the different students. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Psychology Daniel Reisberg, 2013-04-04 This handbook is an essential, comprehensive resource for students and academics interested in topics in cognitive psychology, including perceptual issues, attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, emotional influences, judgment, problem solving, and the study of individual differences in cognition. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Cambridge Handbook of Thinking and Reasoning Keith J. Holyoak, Robert G. Morrison, 2005-04-18 The Cambridge Handbook of Thinking and Reasoning is the first comprehensive and authoritative handbook covering all the core topics of the field of thinking and reasoning. Written by the foremost experts from cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and cognitive neuroscience, individual chapters summarize basic concepts and findings for a major topic, sketch its history, and give a sense of the directions in which research is currently heading. The volume also includes work related to developmental, social and clinical psychology, philosophy, economics, artificial intelligence, linguistics, education, law, and medicine. Scholars and students in all these fields and others will find this to be a valuable collection. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Learning to Solve Problems David H. Jonassen, 2010-09-13 This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at problem solving research and practice over the last fifteen years. The first chapter describes differences in types of problems, individual differences among problem-solvers, as well as the domain and context within which a problem is being solved. Part one describes six kinds of problems and the methods required to solve them. Part two goes beyond traditional discussions of case design and introduces six different purposes or functions of cases, the building blocks of problem-solving learning environments. It also describes methods for constructing cases to support problem solving. Part three introduces a number of cognitive skills required for studying cases and solving problems. Finally, Part four describes several methods for assessing problem solving. Key features includes: Teaching Focus – The book is not merely a review of research. It also provides specific research-based advice on how to design problem-solving learning environments. Illustrative Cases – A rich array of cases illustrates how to build problem-solving learning environments. Part two introduces six different functions of cases and also describes the parameters of a case. Chapter Integration – Key theories and concepts are addressed across chapters and links to other chapters are made explicit. The idea is to show how different kinds of problems, cases, skills, and assessments are integrated. Author expertise – A prolific researcher and writer, the author has been researching and publishing books and articles on learning to solve problems for the past fifteen years. This book is appropriate for advanced courses in instructional design and technology, science education, applied cognitive psychology, thinking and reasoning, and educational psychology. Instructional designers, especially those involved in designing problem-based learning, as well as curriculum designers who seek new ways of structuring curriculum will find it an invaluable reference tool. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Children Solving Problems Stephanie THORNTON, Stephanie Thornton, 2009-06-30 A one-year-old attempting to build a tower of blocks may bring the pile crashing down, yet her five-year-old sister accomplishes this task with ease. Why do young children have difficulty with problems that present no real challenge to older children? How do problem-solving skills develop? In Children Solving Problems, Stephanie Thornton surveys recent research from a broad range of perspectives in order to explore this important question. What Thornton finds may come as a surprise: successful problem-solving depends less on how smart we are--or, as the pioneering psychologist Jean Piaget claimed, how advanced our skill in logical reasoning is--and more on the factual knowledge we acquire as we learn and interpret cues from the world around us. Problem-solving skills evolve through experience and dynamic interaction with a problem. But equally important--as the Russian psychologist L. S. Vygotsky proposed--is social interaction. Successful problem-solving is a social process. Sharing problem-solving tasks--with skilled adults and with other children--is vital to a child's growth in expertise and confidence. In problem-solving, confidence can be more important than skill. In a real sense, problem-solving lies at the heart of what we mean by intelligence. The ability to identify a goal, to work out how to achieve it, and to carry out that plan is the essence of every intelligent activity. Could it be, Thornton suggests, that problem-solving processes provide the fundamental machinery for cognitive development? In Children Solving Problems she synthesizes the dramatic insights and findings of post-Piagetian research and sets the agenda for the next stage in understanding the varied phenomena of children's problem-solving. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Exploring Cognitive Development Alison F. Garton, 2008-04-15 This book uses the paradigm of the child as a problem solver to examine various theories of cognitive development. Provides balanced coverage of a broad range of contemporary theories. Focuses on collaborative tasks which are carried out with other children or adults. Asks whether social interaction is the key to improvement in problem solving skills, or whether it is the skills and abilities that the child brings to the task that are paramount. Draws on a wide range of research, including the author’s own research into dyadic problem solving. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: The Psychology of Human Thought Robert J. Sternberg, Edward E. Smith, 1988-02-26 |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognition Stephen K. Reed, 1988 Brings to life topics and theories of cognition and shows the impact of cognitive theories on other fields of psychology. Practical coverage of cognitive neuroscience focuses on how localization of cognitive processes gives insight on function. This fifth edition includes new coverage of neuroscience, plus online cognitive demonstrations at a Web site. Learning features include questions and key terms. A separate study guide contains strategies for increasing comprehension and memory, and outlines of each chapter in the text, along with questions and answers. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Unlocking Creativity in Solving Novel Mathematics Problems Carol R. Aldous, 2019-06-25 Unlocking Creativity in Solving Novel Mathematics Problems delivers a fascinating insight into thinking and feeling approaches used in creative problem solving and explores whether attending to ‘feeling’ makes any difference to solving novel problems successfully. With a focus on research throughout, this book reveals ways of identifying, describing and measuring ‘feeling’ (or ‘intuition’) in problem-solving processes. It details construction of a new creative problem-solving conceptual framework using cognitive and non-cognitive elements, including the brain’s visuo-spatial and linguistic circuits, conscious and non-conscious mental activity, and the generation of feeling in listening to the self, identified from verbal data. This framework becomes the process model for developing a comprehensive quantitative model of creative problem solving incorporating the Person, Product, Process and Environment dimensions of creativity. In a world constantly seeking new ideas and new approaches to solving complex problems, the application of this book’s findings will revolutionize the way students, teachers, businesses and industries approach novel problem solving, and mathematics learning and teaching. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognition and Motivation Shulamith Kreitler, 2013 This collection examines the many internal and external factors affecting cognitive processes. Editor Shulamith Kreitler brings together a wide range of international contributors to produce an outstanding assessment of recent research in the field. These contributions go beyond the standard approach of examining the effects of motivation and emotion to consider the contextual factors that may influence cognition. These broad and varied factors include personality, genetics, mental health, biological evolution, culture, and social context. By contextualizing cognition, this volume draws out the practical applications of theoretical cognitive research while bringing separate areas of scholarship into meaningful dialogue. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Applied Cognitive Psychology Douglas J. Herrmann, Carol Y. Yoder, Michael Gruneberg, David G. Payne, 2023-05-31 The field of applied cognitive psychology represents a new emphasis within cognitive psychology. Although interesting applied research has been published over the last several decades, and more frequently in the last dozen years, this is the first comprehensive book written about the progress in this new applied area. This text presents the theory and methodology of cognitive psychology that may be applied to problems of the real world and describes the current range of cognitive applications to real-world situations. In addition, Applied Cognitive Psychology: *identifies the rudimentary principles of basic theory (e.g., perception, comprehension, learning, retention, remembering, reasoning, problem solving, and communication) that lend themselves to application; *examines a range of cognitive products and services; *begins with an explanation of the differences between basic and applied science, especially in cognitive psychology across discipline areas; *is the first cognitive text to familiarize students with the institutional and social factors that affect communication between basic and applied researchers and, therefore, determine the success of application efforts; *presents applications important to many problems in society and demonstrates the value of basic research in leading to these important applications; and *cites a substantial number of references to help readers who want to apply cognitive psychology to do so. The text is intended to be used by students who are concurrently studying cognitive psychology or applied cognitive psychology. It could be used with graduate students as well as with undergraduates. |
| cognitive psychology problem solving: Cognitive Psychology D. A. Balota, Elizabeth J. Marsh, 2004 Table of contents |
COGNITIVE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of COGNITIVE is of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or …
COGNITIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Cognitive definition: of or relating to cognition; concerned with the act or process of knowing, perceiving, etc. .. See examples of COGNITIVE used in …
COGNITIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
COGNITIVE definition: 1. connected with thinking or conscious mental processes: 2. connected with …
Cognitive Definition and Meaning in Psychology - Very…
Apr 21, 2024 · Cognitive psychology seeks to understand all of the mental processes involved in human thought and behavior. It focuses on cognitive …
Cognition - Wikipedia
It encompasses all aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as: perception, attention, thought, imagination, intelligence, the …
COGNITIVE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of COGNITIVE is of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering). How to use cognitive in a sentence.
COGNITIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Cognitive definition: of or relating to cognition; concerned with the act or process of knowing, perceiving, etc. .. See examples of COGNITIVE used in a sentence.
COGNITIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
COGNITIVE definition: 1. connected with thinking or conscious mental processes: 2. connected with thinking or conscious…. Learn more.
Cognitive Definition and Meaning in Psychology - Verywell Mind
Apr 21, 2024 · Cognitive psychology seeks to understand all of the mental processes involved in human thought and behavior. It focuses on cognitive processes such as decision-making, …
Cognition - Wikipedia
It encompasses all aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as: perception, attention, thought, imagination, intelligence, the formation of knowledge, memory and working memory, …
Cognition | Definition, Psychology, Examples, & Facts | Britannica
May 15, 2025 · cognition, the states and processes involved in knowing, which in their completeness include perception and judgment. Cognition includes all conscious and …
Cognitive Approach In Psychology
May 12, 2025 · The cognitive approach in psychology studies mental processes—such as how we perceive, think, remember, learn, make decisions, and solve problems. Cognitive …
What does Cognitive mean? - Definitions.net
Cognitive refers to the mental processes and activities related to acquiring, processing, storing, and using information. It involves various abilities such as perception, attention, memory, …
Cognitive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
The adjective, cognitive, comes from the Latin cognoscere "to get to know" and refers to the ability of the brain to think and reason as opposed to feel. A child's cognitive development is the …
Cognitive - definition of cognitive by The Free Dictionary
1. of or pertaining to cognition. 2. of or pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes. cog`ni•tiv′i•ty, …
