Journal
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Volume 58, Issue 3, Pages 416-440Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.cogpsych.2008.09.003
Keywords
Strategy selection; Choice; Problem solving; Multiplication; Motor control; Distributed cognition
Categories
Funding
- NIGMS NIH HHS [T32 GM081760-01, T32 GM081760] Funding Source: Medline
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in two experiments, we studied how people's strategy choices emerge through an initial and then a more considered evaluation of available strategies. The experiments employed a computer-based paradigm where participants solved multiplication problems using mental and calculator solutions. In addition to recording responses and solution times, we gathered data on mouse cursor movements. Participants' motor behavior was revealing: although people rapidly initiated movement to the calculator box or the answer input box, they frequently changed their minds and went to the other box. Movement initiation direction depended on problem difficulty and calculator responsiveness. Ultimate strategy selection also depended on these factors, but was further influenced by movement initiation direction. We conclude that strategy selection is iterative, as revealed by these differences between early cursor movement and eventual strategy implementation. After rapidly initiating movement favoring one strategy, people carefully evaluate the applicability of that strategy in the current context. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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