Perceptual’ Strategies in the Solving of Three‐term Series Problems

In the main part of this study 26 students were asked to solve 112 three‐term series problems and to talk about their strategies. These strategies were of two main types: (1) ‘thinking’ strategies which involved thinking about the meaning of a problem and (2) ‘perceptual’ strategies in which the solver responded to certain invariant display characteristics of the problem while ignoring its meaning. All 26 subjects began with ‘thinking’ strategies, but 17 subjects either wholly or partly abandoned them in favour of ‘perceptual’ strategies which, in comparison, were quick, efficient and easy. A subsequent test showed that subjects using ‘perceptual’ strategies solved the problems significantly more quickly than subjects using ‘thinking’ strategies. In the Discussion a distinction is made between initial ‘thinking’ strategies, which have been the focus of earlier research, and final ‘perceptual’ strategies, which have been relatively neglected. Also, two possible limitations of ‘perceptual’ strategies are discussed: (1) their ability to cope with negative and with indeterminate problems and (2) their dependence upon a constant format and visual presentation

Cognitive psychology · Meaning (existential) · Perception · Presentation (obstetrics) · Problem solver · Psychotherapist · Term (time) · Computer Science · Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods · Psychology · Science Education and Pedagogy · Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes

• Verbal reports as data.

  K Anders Ericsson, Herbert A Simon•Psychological Review•1980

  Add to list