Working memory (WM) has been associated with the acquisition of arithmetic skills, however, the components of WM that underlie this acquisition have not been explored. This study explored the contribution of two WM systems (the phonological loop and the central executive) to mathematical performance in young children. The results showed that a…

Mandler's (1984) model of emotion is summarized in this paper and is operatonalized analytically and statistically using Thom's (1975) catastrophe theory. Data were collected from (n=15) mathematics majors in a pilot study to test Mandler's model and the nonlinear effects of emotions in solving mathematical problems. The data were found to fit…

Research in mathematical problem solving has produced significant results in trying to understand what people do to solve problems. An important part of the solution process is the presence of both cognitive and metacognitive strategies. This paper documents the extent to which 13 ninth grade students are able to recognize the basic structure of a…

Results support the general conclusion that the disposition to respond in either a reflective or impulsive fashion influences the problem-solving efficiency and strategy behavior of elementary school children. The relative impact of cognitive style on problem solving varied with developmental level and the type of problem solved. (Author/BJG)

This study is designed to test the hypothesis that an inability to separate incoming information into discrete messages is a source of young children's relatively poor performance in selective attention tasks. Subjects were 27 children drawn from kindergarten, second grade and fifth grade classes. (Author/GO)

Concludes that children scoring high in picture arrangement on the Wechsler have significantly poorer problem solving ability than children with low picture arrangement scores. (RB)

Author presented a selection of examples of the role of connective analogies in invention/discovery. (Author/RK)

This review considers the question as to whether there are generic problem-solving skills that cut across fields or whether the skills are so embedded within specific fields that they can be identified only within the contexts of those fields. To answer this question, an attempt was made to define both "problems" and their "solutions." Then the…

An interview investigation was undertaken in which a group of nurses and a group of technicians reasoned about evidence for the existence of a causal relation in a medical and in a technical case. A statement about the existence of the relation was presented and the subjects were then asked as to what evidence there might and should be behind such…

Research using expectancy models has shown contraceptive choice among adults to be a rational process in that intentions and behaviors reflect an individual's beliefs, values, attitudes, and perceptions of social norms. This study examined whether such an approach could accurately represent adolescents' contraceptive decision-making. It used the…

This study attempted to extend prior research on everyday problem solving by analyzing the effects of goal clarity and the presence or absence of a partner on performance in a number of problems. Subjects were 35 undergraduates who were screened, matched, and tested as singles or dyads during which time they thought aloud. Problems included mazes,…

A theory of adult cognitive development which includes two post-formal operational stages is described. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section provides background for discussion of the theory. A case study in which various employees in a hypothetical organization react to a problem is provided. Examples of pre-logical,…

Simple and complex addition problems were presented for true/false verification to 30 undergraduate students to test a general model for cognitive addition. Problems were presented on a microcomputer, with reaction time (RT) and response accuracy recorded. Models for addition were fit to average RT data using multiple regression techniques. These…

This discussion of some of the research literature that is relevant to the issue of teaching thinking provides descriptions of hypothetical, ideal thinkers, and problem solvers; considers the problem of teaching thinking and problem solving; and explores the issue of evaluating programs so that they can be revised and improved. Following Bransford…