Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight

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dc.contributor.advisorTredoux, Colinen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorRoberts, Karen Annen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-07-14T08:56:58Z
dc.date.available2015-07-14T08:56:58Z
dc.date.issued1997en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: leaves 151-164.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractInsight has enjoyed the reputation of an elusive phenomenon in psychology and insight problems are very difficult to solve. Only very specific hints concerning their solution have been found to significantly increase the number of problem solvers who are able to solve insight problems. The result of this has been to suggest that insight does not exist, that it is a mysterious phenomenon, or that it is an aspect of problem solving which we have so far failed to understand. Insight in problem solving is investigated from the perspective that the phenomenon needs explanation and it is argued that, while insight has been operationally defined and a clear set of key empirical findings have been established, the conceptual explanation of insight has been largely ignored. It is suggested that a conceptual account of insight is needed so that this aspect of cognitive processing can be incorporated into the main body of cognitive research on problem solving. The current tension in cognitive science and cognitive psychology is examined and it is argued that writing a conceptual account of insight in neural network theoretical terms will not only advance our understanding of insight, but will also reflect on the debate in cognitive theory. This is a result of its status as an aspect of problem solving and as a phenomenon which symbolic theory has so far failed to offer a clear explanation for. A conceptual account of insight in neural network terms is advanced which offers a comprehensive account of the key empirical findings on insight. It is suggested that insight can be understood as the recognition of a pattern to insight problems. Predictions derived from the theory suggest that overcoming the effects of past learning, employing conceptual transfer, and fostering expertise at insight problem solving will significantly facilitate insightful problem solution.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationRoberts, K. A. (1997). <i>Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13496en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationRoberts, Karen Ann. <i>"Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13496en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationRoberts, K. 1997. Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Roberts, Karen Ann AB - Insight has enjoyed the reputation of an elusive phenomenon in psychology and insight problems are very difficult to solve. Only very specific hints concerning their solution have been found to significantly increase the number of problem solvers who are able to solve insight problems. The result of this has been to suggest that insight does not exist, that it is a mysterious phenomenon, or that it is an aspect of problem solving which we have so far failed to understand. Insight in problem solving is investigated from the perspective that the phenomenon needs explanation and it is argued that, while insight has been operationally defined and a clear set of key empirical findings have been established, the conceptual explanation of insight has been largely ignored. It is suggested that a conceptual account of insight is needed so that this aspect of cognitive processing can be incorporated into the main body of cognitive research on problem solving. The current tension in cognitive science and cognitive psychology is examined and it is argued that writing a conceptual account of insight in neural network theoretical terms will not only advance our understanding of insight, but will also reflect on the debate in cognitive theory. This is a result of its status as an aspect of problem solving and as a phenomenon which symbolic theory has so far failed to offer a clear explanation for. A conceptual account of insight in neural network terms is advanced which offers a comprehensive account of the key empirical findings on insight. It is suggested that insight can be understood as the recognition of a pattern to insight problems. Predictions derived from the theory suggest that overcoming the effects of past learning, employing conceptual transfer, and fostering expertise at insight problem solving will significantly facilitate insightful problem solution. DA - 1997 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1997 T1 - Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight TI - Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13496 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/13496
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationRoberts KA. Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 1997 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13496en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherResearch Psychologyen_ZA
dc.titleInsight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insighten_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMAen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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