Implicit Theories about Everyday Problem Solving.

Mental models or implicit theories held by adults about everyday problem solving were studied. Research questions were posed to 12 male and 12 female adults. aged 25 to 60 years, from a wide range of educational and occupational orientations. Subjects were interviewed in pairs. Verbal Protocol Analysis was used to analyze the data from two distinct vantages: first through a content analysis of specific responses to the interview questions, and then through the frequency of responses obtained from the application of a coding grid developed for the study. A generic model was derived and applied to recuperate and elaborate the emerging mental models. The integrated framework on induction proposed by J. H. Holland and others (1986) was adopted as a conceptual framework for the study by virtue of its use for ill-defined problems and its application to social sc;ence research. Results identify the predominance of the interpersonal and emotional factors salient to this genre of problem solving. Individual differences, communication, and problem identification are highlighted as the most significant and difficult areas on which success was contingent. Degrees of self-confidence and habitual usage of a system of method were seen to be significant factors, often correlated with experience and education. Two tables and two figures illustrate the study. (Author/SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ********************************************************************* U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) VT/his document has been reprocfuced as received from the person or organrzatron originating it 0 Minor cnanges have been made to improve reproductron Quality Points of view or opinions stated in this docu ment do not necessarily represent official OE RI position or policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY edfi(v9tEr & NbReE,tir TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." IMPLICIT THEORIES ABOUT EVERYDAY PROBLEM SOLVING