The role of perceptually represented structure in analogical problem solving.

TitleThe role of perceptually represented structure in analogical problem solving.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsCatrambone, R, Craig, DL, Nersessian, NJ
JournalMem Cognit
Volume34
Issue5
Pagination1126-32
Date Published2006 Jul
ISSN0090-502X
KeywordsHumans, Imagination, Kinesthesis, Mental Recall, Orientation, Probability Learning, Problem Solving, Reading
Abstract

Current models of analogical reasoning assume that representations of source examples and target problems occur in an amodal format--that is, a representation whose construction and processing are independent of activity in the perceptual and motor cortices of the brain. We examined the possible use of kinesthetic information--perceptual structures associated with the sensation of space and force--in the representation of source examples and target problems. Participants who recreated a source story while acting out the key elements were more likely to access the story when later working on the target problem than were participants who only verbally recreated the story or who verbally recreated it as well as sketched it. We argue that enactment made kinesthetic and spatial features more salient in participants' source story representations and that this aided performance. These results suggest that current models of analogical reasoning might be improved by including perceptual information as part of their representational schemes.

Alternate JournalMem Cognit
PubMed ID17128610