The nature of external representations in problem solving：（外部表示解决问题的本质）.pdfVIP

To appear in Cognitive Science, 00, 000-000. The Nature of External Representations in Problem Solving1 Jiajie Zhang Department of Psychology The Ohio State University ABSTRACT sic to many cognitive tasks that they guide, constrain, This article proposes a theoretical framework for external and even determine cognitive behavior. By focusing representation based problem solving. The Tic-Tac-Toe on what information in external representations can and its isomorphs are used to illustrate the procedures of be perceived and how the information in external the framework as a methodology and test the predictions of representations affects problem solving behavior, this the framework as a functional model. Experimental results article develops a theoretical framework for external show that the behavior in the Tic-Tac-Toe is determined by representation based (henceforth, ER-based) problem the directly available information in external and internal representations in terms of perceptual and cognitive biases, solving. This framework is not only a functional regardless of whether the biases are consistent with, incon- model that can make specific empirical predictions sistent with, or irrelevant to the task. It is shown that ex- but also a methodology that can be used to systemati- ternal representations are not merely inputs and stimuli to cally analyze ER-based problem solving tasks. the internal mind and that they have