Responding to an article in the January 1983 issue, "The Incredible Brain," the author claims problem solving is, in part, a social activity requiring communication. Logic is necessary to the process of communication and, therefore, plays an essential role in the complete process of problem solving. (MLF)

Two stages of skill development are: declarative (facts are interpreted) and procedural (knowledge is embodied in skill procedures). Knowledge compilation moves skills from the declarative to procedural stage in subprocesses of composition, which collapses sequences of productions into single productions, and proceduralization, which embeds…

Equation problems elicited a strategy in which the subject attempted to isolate the X variables on one side of the equation, whereas word problems elicited a strategy in which the subject attempted to reduce the expression. These results suggest that problem format influences the type of strategy used to solve algebra problems. (Author/PN)

Examines how children develop as writers and presents new ways of looking at children's problem solving in what they do and say during the writing process. Presents an outline of the general orders of child focus in the writing process. (HTH)

The ability to generalize is probably the primary aspect of intelligence. The computer's inability to generalize is the major stumbling block associated with machine intelligence. (Author/CP)

Eighteen college students solved addition problems using the Hutchings Low Fatigue Addition Algorithm, which requires a written record of running sums, and the standard algorithm, which does not. Students using the Hutchings algorithm had significantly higher reaction times to a tone, indicating that the Hutchings method requires less cognitive…

This operational theory of adult learning is based on the premise that learning is a problem-solving process involving attention, differentiation, structuring, integration, abstracting, and generalization. (Journal availability: Department of Adult Education, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.) (SK)

In terms of Kagan's theory of the problem-solving process, this study explores the relationship between reflection-impulsivity, hypothesis generation and testing, and evaluation of the quality of one's own solutions among children approximately 8 to 12 years old. (JMB)

Describes the recording of protocols of student problem solving, some of the problems arising in this approach, and the difficulties faced by the researcher. (Author)

Looks at an alternative method to linear notes for organizing thoughts when preparing a talk or paper. This method displays the manner in which the relationships of a subject are organized and offers a format for displaying complex inter-dependencies in place of linear notes. (Author/MER)

Describes an ethological approach to the study of intelligence and results of observational research of problem-solving behavior in everyday situations. Nine toddlers and preschoolers were observed. Reactions to situations blocking ongoing behavior were recorded. "Blocks" included situations where the child wanted something that was…

Suggests ways puppets can be used to foster young children's problem solving abilities. (CM)

The problem-solving processes of seven upper-division college students working a series of problems that could be solved by the application of one or more heuristics are described in detail. (MP)

Three approaches to the same geometrical problem are presented to demonstrate the role of intuition in mathematics and to clarify the concept of insight. (MP)

Explores the differences of problem-solving procedures and thinking structures between science and nonscience Chinese graduate students. Discusses differences in designing experiments, exploring new questions, planning, assumptions, and validity. Concludes that the reasoner's epistemology or academic experiences might strongly influence these…