Research group: Acquisition, Representation and Application of Knowledge

The research group focuses on investigations into three major topics: First, the acquisition and adaptation of knowledge in processes of learning and problem solving; second, the internal representation of knowledge, and third, its application in various domains. The concept of knowledge used in this enterprise does not reduce to the static concept of concept, defining features, but also covers knowledge of causes and effects, algorithmic abilities and heuristic knowledge. Thus it covers not only knowledge of states of affairs that can be communicated in principle, but extends further, including knowledge, that cannot be verbalized, e.g. in form of procedures, as well (cp. the distinction between declarative and procedural knowledge). Theoretical and empirical investigations are carried out to develop, test and compare models in this research group.

One main focus of research are problem solving processes of scientific discovery. By reconstructing scientific discoveries it aims at showing that it is possible to explain and account for creative processes of problem solving without invoking conceptions of intuitive insights, that are unintelligible and cannot be analyzed further. The goal is to provide adequate models of historical case studies and to demonstrate the existence of methodologies of discovery. In this context, several issues become important: How much knowledge (and knowledge of what kind) has to be assumed to be available prior to the discovery in order to explain certain processes of problem solving? How is already available knowledge applied? How do processes of knowledge generation, e.g. the finding of a causal nexus, fit in the general picture? These issues are at the same time the bridging links between the more philosophical inquiries of the research group and its research projects oriented rather toward cognitive psychology.

More specific kinds of analysis, particularly those carried out with the use of experiments, address questions that arise in the context of human processes of problem solving. These questions can be subdivided into two sorts, the first one concerning the internal representation of problem situations and the second one concerning processes of learning when a problem is repeatedly dealt with. Questions of the first kind are: How does the internal representation of a problem influence the search for solutions? Can spontaneous insight be tied to change of internal representation? Questions of the second kind are: What knowledge is acquired? What knowledge is being made use of? Which cognitive abilities are produced? How does the encoding and processing of the problem situation change?

(Last change: December 2, 1997)
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