Cognitive flexibility and adaptability to environmental changes in dynamic complex problem-solving tasks.

Full Abstract

People who show good performance in dynamic complex problem-solving tasks can also make errors. Theories of human error fail to fully explain when and why good performers err. Some theories would predict that these errors are to some extent the consequence of the difficulties that people have in adapting to new and unexpected environmental conditions. However, such theories cannot explain why some new conditions lead to error, while others do not. There are also some theories that defend the notion that good performers are more cognitively flexible and better able to adapt to new environmental conditions. However, the fact is that they sometimes make errors when they face those new conditions. This paper describes one experiment and a research methodology designed to test the hypothesis that when people use a problem-solving strategy, their performance is only affected by those conditions which are relevant to that particular strategy. This hypothesis is derived from theories that explain human performance based on the interaction between cognitive mechanisms and environment.

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Author information

Author/s: Cañas, José (J); Quesada, José F (JF); Antolí, Adoración (A); Fajardo, Inmaculada (I);

Affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja, 18071, Granada, Spain. delagado(-atsign-)goliat.ugr.es

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Ergonomics (Ergonomics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 46 (issue 5) : pp 482-501

Dates: Created 2003/05/14; Completed 2003/06/06; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12745698, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Cognition
Computer Simulation
Fires - prevention & control
Goals
Humans
Problem Solving

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