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History of Problem Solving … Gestalt

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

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History of Problem Solving … Gestalt

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  1. History of Problem Solving … Gestalt Psychology 523 January 26th, 2006

  2. 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

  3. Thorndike’s Connectionism (1874-1948) • 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

  4. Examination of ISMS • Associationism • Faculty Psychology • Structuralism • Act Psychology • Functionalism • Behaviorism • Gestalt Theory

  5. Behaviorism John B. Watson (1878-1958) • 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 (1884-1952) (1904-1990)

  6. 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)

  7. Gestalt Psychology (1880-1943) • 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 (1887-1967) (1886-1941)

  8. Principles of Visual Organization • Figure-ground

  9. Principles of Visual Organization • Proximity

  10. Principles of Visual Organization • Similarity

  11. Principles of Visual Organization • Good continuity

  12. Principles of Visual Organization • Closure

  13. Perceptual Restructuring

  14. 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

  15. 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)

  16. Luchins & Luchins (1922-2002)

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