history of problem solving … gestalt
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History of Problem Solving … Gestalt. Psychology 523 January 26th, 2006. Recap. Associationism Contiguity, Similarity, Repetition Faculty Psychology Powers of the mind Structuralism Used introspection technique; focused on elements of sensation and perception Wurzburg School - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
History of Problem Solving … Gestalt
Psychology 523
January 26th, 2006
Recap Associationism
Contiguity, Similarity, Repetition Faculty Psychology
Powers of the mind Structuralism
Used introspection technique; focused on elements of sensation and perception
Wurzburg School Applied introspection to problem solving tasks
Functionalism Consciousness organizes thought; mediates stimulus
and action; focus on process
Thorndike’s Connectionism
Learning results from associations formed between stimulus and response (neural connections)
Trial and error learning Cat puzzle box
S-R Theory Law of effect Law of readiness Law of exercise
Identical Elements of Transfer
(1874-1948)
Examination of ISMS
Associationism Faculty Psychology Structuralism Act Psychology Functionalism Behaviorism Gestalt Theory
Behaviorism John B. Watson
Focused on ‘human behavior’ No point to study inaccessible events of the mind Instead must focus on S-R Thinking is physical (muscular activities of the vocal chords)
Clark Hull S-O-R
O -> drive, incentives, inhibitors,prior training, and habit family heirarchies
B.F. Skinner Operant conditioning
John B.Watson(1878-1958)
(1904-1990)
(1884-1952)
Classic Issues in Problem Solving
Problem solver has a goal but lacks a clear solution. How is an effective response acquired?
Issues: learning, past experience Trial and error (Thorndike) Insight (Yerkes; Kohler) Problem solving set (Maier; Luchins & Luchins) Transfer of principles (Thorndike vs. Katona; Wertheimer)
Gestalt Psychology Wolfgang Kohler, Kurt Koffka, and Max Wertheimer Gestalt: ‘organized whole’ ‘configuration’
Protest against structuralism Psychological experience as emergent dynamics
Laws of organization (field theory) Perception and problem solving
Situations have forces working on them Problem: forces are unbalanced Restructuring is a change in the situation an
effort to balance the forces
(1880-1943)
(1887-1967)
(1886-1941)
Principles of Visual Organization
Figure-ground
Principles of Visual Organization
Proximity
Principles of Visual Organization
Similarity
Principles of Visual Organization
Good continuity
Principles of Visual Organization
Closure
Perceptual Restructuring
Principles for Problem Solving(based on Ohlsson, 1984)
Central Principles
A. Every situation embodies a structure
B. A situation can be subject to forces
C. Restructuring changes relations
Auxiliary
D. Problems have gaps /stresses
E. Restructuring moves towards better structure
Principles for Problem Solving
When does restructuring occur? F. Unbalanced forces G. More likely if the situation is well analyzed H. More likely if the goal is well analyzed I. More likely if the after trying multiple times K. Restructuring is involuntary
L.- N. Behavioral predictions
Analysis of an example (nine-dot problem)
Luchins & Luchins
(1922-2002)