Müller Romy
Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Engineering Psychology and Applied Cognitive Research, TUD Dresden University of Technology, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Feb 28;14(3):191. doi: 10.3390/bs14030191.
Problem solvers often need to choose between adapting a current solution and exchanging it for a new one. However, previous studies have not considered how such decisions might depend on structural and surface features of the task. Therefore, the present study investigated the interplay between the costs of the two solutions (a structural feature) and the format in which this information is presented (a surface feature). In a computer-based modular plant scenario, participants chose between modifying process parameters (Adapt) and reconfiguring the module setup (Exchange). The solution costs were presented either as graphs depicting parameter relations, separate numbers for each parameter, or integrated numbers for each solution. It was hypothesised that graphs induce satisficing (i.e., basing decisions only on Adapt), whereas the numeric formats foster a comparison of the solutions (i.e., basing decisions on the Adapt/Exchange ratio). The hypothesised effects were restricted to situations with medium Adapt costs. A second experiment replicated these findings while adjusting the scale of the numeric formats. In conclusion, Adapt/Exchange decisions are shaped by an interaction of structural and surface features of the task. These findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of the influences on decision strategies in complex scenarios that require a balance between stability and flexibility.
问题解决者常常需要在调整现有解决方案和用新方案取而代之之间做出选择。然而，以往的研究并未考虑此类决策如何依赖于任务的结构特征和表面特征。因此，本研究考察了两种解决方案的成本（一种结构特征）与该信息呈现形式（一种表面特征）之间的相互作用。在一个基于计算机的模块化工厂场景中，参与者在修改工艺参数（调整）和重新配置模块设置（更换）之间做出选择。解决方案成本要么以描绘参数关系的图表呈现，要么以每个参数的单独数字呈现，要么以每个解决方案的综合数字呈现。研究假设，图表会引发满足策略（即仅基于调整做出决策），而数字形式则促进对解决方案的比较（即基于调整/更换比率做出决策）。假设的效应仅限于调整成本适中的情况。第二个实验在调整数字形式的范围时重复了这些发现。总之，调整/更换决策受到任务的结构特征和表面特征相互作用的影响。这些发现有助于更详细地理解在需要稳定性和灵活性之间取得平衡的复杂场景中对决策策略的影响。
