Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
The Importance of Conceptual Origins: The Case of the Just-Right Challenge
Heather Kuhaneck1, Susan L Spitzer2
1Heather Kuhaneck, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and Program Director, Occupational Therapy Program, Recreation, Tourism, and Sports Management Department, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven; kuhaneckh1@southernct.edu.
Abstract:
Core concepts in occupational therapy have often developed over time with contributions from multiple clinicians and scholars. This makes it difficult to determine exactly from where, or from whom, ideas originated. Without original sources, we cannot chart the historical development of ideas and honor those whose scholarship made it possible. This article documents the process undertaken to properly cite one such common concept in occupational therapy, the just-right challenge; illustrates the value of doing so; and advocates for the importance of thorough historical scholarship.
Related Concept Videos
Principle of Moments: Problem Solving
One such scenario involves a pole placed in a three-dimensional system with a cable attached. When a tension is applied to the cable, the moment about the z-axis passing through...
Principle of Virtual Work: Problem Solving
To apply the principle of virtual work,...
The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Principal Stresses: Problem Solving
Reason and Intuition

