On drawing analogies when solving problems: A theory and test of solution generation in an analogical problem‐solving task

Three criticisms are made of present theories of analogy: (a) that they fail to model the process of object identification; (b) that, in the case of story analogues, the solution statement part may be accessed directly using schematic knowledge; (c) that they fail to model the role of goals. A theory of solution generation by analogy is proposed which takes these criticisms into account, and two aspects of the theory are tested. Experiment 1 supported the second criticism, in finding that the provision of an analogous solution statement is sufficient to influence significantly the production of a specific solution to Duncker's ‘radiation problem’. Experiment 2 tested a specific aspect of the theory, namely, the prediction that ‘functionally relevant attributes’ (FRAs) significantly influence the generation of solutions by analogy. The results confirmed this prediction but, contrary to pre-experimental predictions, this influence seems mainly attributable to facilitation by FRAs of relational transfer.