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Mental contents in transfer.
Sacha Helfenstein1, Pertti Saariluoma
1Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Finland.
Psychological Research
|July 8, 2005
Summary
This study reveals that mental content, not just schematic similarity, significantly impacts problem-solving transfer. Different thought models and spatial ray representations influence judgments, highlighting the limits of schema-based transfer theories.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology of Thinking
- Human Cognition
Background:
- Schema-based transfer theory suggests problem-solving influence depends on schematic similarity.
- Previous models may overlook the impact of specific mental content on cognitive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop theoretical concepts for mental content-based investigations in human thinking.
- To specifically examine the role of mental content in problem-solving transfer.
- To challenge the sufficiency of schema-based analysis alone.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Duncker's (1935) tumor task for a content-based investigation.
- Experimentally assessed the influence of three thought models (additive, balancing, distribution-based).
- Investigated two types of spatial ray images (compact vs. diverging) on mental representations.
Main Results:
- Mental content significantly varied participants' representations and judgments of radiation confluence.
- Differences in central tendencies showed priming effects, but group-based analysis was key.
- Distinct participant groups emerged based on judgment types, reflecting thought models and ray image content.
Conclusions:
- Schema-based analysis is insufficient to explain all transfer and reasoning differences.
- Interindividual and intercontextual variations stem from distinctive mental content in apperception.
- Mental content plays a crucial role in shaping cognitive judgments and problem-solving transfer.