STUDIES IN PROBLEM SOLVING: SUBJECT 3 ON THE CRYPT-ARITHMETIC TASK DONALD + GERALD = ROBERT,

Abstract : The behavior of a single subject on a symbolic task (crypt-arithmetic) is examined in some detail. The study is part of a continuing effort to understand the information processes involved in problem solving. Following a brief review of the advantages and difficulties in using protocols to aid in protocol analysis. These are essentially descriptive in nature, consisting in a specification of the problems space in which the subject is working, and in a display of his behavior, of the total behavior in a series of decision points, and permits an analysis of the adequacy of the productions (essentially, a system of conditional statements). A rather extensive analysis of the adequacy of the production system is included. Finally, there is some discussion of the implications of the production system, not only as a descriptive tool, but as a theoretical scheme.