For questions regarding the processes through which humans, animals, or artificial systems reason through a challenge and the means by which they select a solution.
71
votes
6answers
3k views
How is it that taking a break from a problem sometimes allows you to figure out the answer?
As a computer programmer, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon: If I am stuck on a particular problem in my work, often if I stop thinking about the problem and do something else, the answer will ...
17
votes
2answers
274 views
Performance of a group solving a cognitive task: How does it scale?
Some intellectual, cognitive and perceptual tasks can be solved collaboratively. It is common knowledge that group performance is better than that of each single individual due to exchange of ...
14
votes
2answers
457 views
Is there a term for individuals who can “visualize” numbers and advanced mathematics?
I recently saw an episode of 60 Minutes about Jacob Barnett, a 13 year old boy who is currently attending advanced physics classes at a local university and was portrayed by the show as being a child ...
12
votes
2answers
214 views
How are autistic savants able to perform certain mathematical computations so quickly?
How do autistic savants (or other people with these abilities) compute equations like $81^{100}$ in 2.5 minutes?
Which algorithms do they use? Is it an efficient one, or do they just have a lot of ...
10
votes
1answer
106 views
What constructs help explain limited cognitive processing and the cognitive effects of rules that limit decision making choices?
Supposed that I'm a married man, and my wife asks me to pick out a paint color for our new house. It's not terribly mentally taxing. However, my wife starts to add rules. The color can't be too ...
7
votes
1answer
197 views
What are the characteristics that make complex problem solving complex?
In real-world problem-solving tasks that many people call "complex" (like flying a jet, programming, fixing a car, fighting a fire - the type investigated by the naturalistic decision making ...
6
votes
3answers
372 views
Why have historically most inventors been men?
I noticed something strange when I looked at about.com's list of famous historical inventors. You can see that most of the inventors are men, and only a few are women.
Can this be explained by ...
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Can one incubate on a specific idea in one's sleep?
In this question it is described that intentionally not thinking about a problem can allow the subsonscious to find an answer to the problem; this is known as incubation. I have heard and read it a ...
6
votes
0answers
59 views
What research exists in the areas of formulating questions and “problem shaping”?
After recalling Eric Steven Raymond and Rick Moen's How to Ask Questions The Smart Way and a discussion in a systems engineering course regarding the impact of the proper formulation of a problem in ...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
Can we stop the brain from processing a particular task?
Imagine a task of high involvement and great complexity, but one that is not very important, e.g., a strategic computer game. Because of high involvement, the brain continues to process the problem to ...
5
votes
1answer
81 views
Need good example of two domains involving different procedural knowledge yet sharing same high-level strategies
Working in the domain of intelligent tutoring systems, I have to prove (or disprove) that explicit teaching of high-level strategies will allow students to use learned strategies across different ...
3
votes
2answers
230 views
Teaching Problem Solving : Mastering bit by bit Vs Try it all by yourself?
Background:
I'm a teacher who trains hundreds of high school students in Math, Physics & Chemistry to crack probably toughest competitive exam in India.
I deal with the students who are ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Is actively trying to create insight inducing conditions effective in generating insights?
Kounios and Beeman (2009) show that many insight solutions come when one is in a relaxed state. Furthermore, positive mood helps with insight solutions.
But practically speaking, is it wise to try ...
