Document Type
Book Chapter
Department
Psychology (Scripps)
Publication Date
1990
Disciplines
Cognitive Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
This chapter examines the first goal: understanding real-world problem solving. It is particularly concerned with issues of representativeness and what has been called ecological validity. In addition, because there is considerable evidence that there are differences across the adult life span in solving problems, as reviewed by Botwinick (1978), Giambra and Arenberg (1980), and Rabbitt (1977), it will be important to ask whether or not age is an important qualifier to the conclusions that are reached. The first section discusses the problems people actually face and reviews the paradigms used in scientific investigations to represent problems, including studies of age differences and changes in problem solving. The second section explores the extent to which the lay and scientific domains overlap and finds that there is little overlap. The final section describes an explanatory study of problems representative of those people report facing in everyday life.
Rights Information
© 1989 Cambridge University Press
Terms of Use & License Information
Recommended Citation
Hartley, A.A. (1990). The cognitive ecology of problem solving. In L.W. Poon, D.C. Rubin, & G.A. Wilson (Eds.), Everyday cognition in adulthood and late life, (pp. 300-329). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press.
Comments
Everyday Cognition in Adulthood and Late Life edited by Leonard W. Poon, David C. Rubin and Barbara A. Wilson Hardback ISBN 9780521371483 Paperback ISBN 9780521428606
Selection: Chapter 18, The cognitive ecology of problem solving, by Alan A. Hartley Copyright © 1989 Cambridge University Press
Cambridge book website:
http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/life-sciences/neuroscience/everyday-cognition-adulthood-and-late-life