Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

This study investigates the internal structure and construct validity of Complex Problem Solving (CPS), which is measured by a Multiple-Item-Approach. It is tested, if (a) three facets of CPS – rule identification (adequateness of strategies), rule knowledge (generated knowledge) and rule application (ability to control a system) – can be empirically distinguished, how (b) reasoning is related to these CPS-facets and if (c) CPS shows incremental validity in predicting school grade point average (GPA) beyond reasoning. N=222 university students completed MicroDYN, a computer-based CPS test and Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices. Analysis including structural equation models showed that a 2-dimensionsal model …

With the advent of computers in the experimental labs, dynamic systems have become a new tool for research on problem solving and decision making. A short review on this research is given and the main features of these systems (connectivity and dynamics) are illustrated. To allow systematic approaches to the influential variables in this area, two formal frameworks (linear structural equations and finite state automata) are presented. Besides the formal background, it is shown how the task demands of system identification and system control can be realized in these environments and how psychometrically acceptable dependent variables can be derived.

The method of computer-simulated scenarios has recently been introduced to study how people solve complex problems. This paper describes a special approach to constructing such microworlds by means of linear structural equation systems. Subjects' task in the experimental situation is to first identify in a knowledge acquisition phase the causal structure of an hitherto unknown system. In a later knowledge application phase they have to control this system with respect to a given goal state. Knowledge that was acquired on the task is assessed both by means of causal diagrams - a method developed within this project and proven to …