EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM-SOLVING BEHAVIOR
Abstract
Attempts were made to extend conditioning theory to the realm of problem-solving behavior. Experiments on the influence of massed and distributed practice on mental set failed to confirm the extinction hypothesis of Kendler, Greenberg, and Richman (j. Exp. Psychol. 43:21-25, 1952). The influence that learning single concepts had on the learning of compound concepts was studied. Some subjects who learned simple concepts failed to learn compound concepts composed of those simple concepts. An explanation of this phenomenon based on the importance of verbal factors in problem-solving behavior was proposed. Results of other studies suggested that training subjects to be flexible on specific tasks was more feasible than training for a general flexible thinking behavior. Unsuccessful attempts were made to demonstrate a relationship between the frequency of reinforcement and inflexibility in concept formation. The experiments also indicated that the individual frial in conditioning was not coordinated in a simple manner to the single trial in concept-formation tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0023524
Entities
People
- Howard H. Kendler
Organizations
- New York University