The role of semantic context in the selection of problem's representation

The role of semantic context in the selection of problem's representation. The present paper deals with the general question of how the interpretation of the problem is elaborated, and more precisely which part is played bq the semantic factors. We used Tower of Hanoi isomorphs to investigate the process of discovery of new properties and to explain the great difference of difficulty observed (Kotovsky, Hayes and Simon, 1985; Kotovsky and Fallside, 1989). Our hypothesis was that this difference is not due mainly to the nature of the operator, as claims Kotovsky et al., but lies in the compatibility of prior knowledge activated by the context and the adequate representation of the action needed to solve the problem. In the experiment I and 2, we used three isomorphs in which the only difference was the nature of the operator (Move or Change of site). In the experience 3 and 4, four isomorphs were used by combining the nature of the operator (Move or Change of size) and the nature of the context (result or transformation). One hundred and sixty-four subjects were asked either to judge the legality of moves (experiment I and 3) or either to solve the problem (experiment 2 and 4). Results of experiments 1 and 2 show that the Change-of-size problems were more difficult than the Move problem. But, as predicted, the results of experiments 3 and it shout that when the context emphasizes the adequate representation, the difference due to the nature of the operator disappears. The more difficult isomorphs were those that involve changing the first representation and constructing a new one. This research is an attempt to explain the insight and restructuration phenomena described by the Gestalt theory using an information processing framework.