Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2006):

When shoes become hammers: Goal-derived categorization training enhances problem-solving performance.

Full Abstract

Problem-solving theories have not examined how solvers navigate their knowledge to interpret problem situations or to plan strategies toward goals. In this article, the author argues that success in problem solving depends on the solver's ability to construct goal-derived categories, namely categories that are formed ad hoc to serve goals during the instantiation of problem frames. Experiment 1 (N = 140) showed improved problem-solving performance after training to construct goal-derived categories. Experiment 2 (N = 80) demonstrated that effects of training in category construction can be obtained without participants being explicitly informed regarding the relevance of training to problem solving. These studies suggest that problem solving is a dynamic expression of goal-directed cognition and provide evidence for the involvement of categorization in problem-solving processes. Copyright 2006 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Chrysikou, Evangelia G (EG);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. lila(-atsign-)temple.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition (J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 32 (issue 4) : pp 935-42

Dates: Created 2006/07/06; Completed 2006/12/15;

PMID: 16822159, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Awareness Comprehension Concept Formation Creativeness Female Field Dependence-Independence Goals Humans

Individuality Male Motivation Pattern Recognition, Visual Practice (Psychology) Problem Solving Semantics Thinking Verbal Learning Word Association Tests

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• The effects of differential training procedures on linked perceptual class formation. 30 Dec 2006
• Rote memory and arithmetic fact processing. 29 Nov 2007
• Training generalized spatial skills. 30 Jul 2008
• Precision of imitation as a function of preschoolers' understanding of the goal of the demonstration. 29 Jun 2006
• Repetition priming in picture naming and translation depends on shared processes and their difficulty: evidence from spanish-english bilinguals. 30 Oct 2003
• Action experience alters 3-month-old infants' perception of others' actions. 29 Apr 2005
• Lasting reductions in illegal moves following an increase in their cost: evidence from river-crossing problems. 29 Jun 2005
• When bees hamper the production of honey: lexical interference from associates in speech production. 29 Apr 2007
• The relation between children's conceptual functioning with color and color term acquisition. 22 Jan 2006
• Children's use of syntactic and pragmatic knowledge in the interpretation of novel adjectives. 30 Dec 2005

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.