On drawing analogies when solving problems: A theory and test of solution generation in an analogical problem‐solving task

Abstract

Three criticisms are made of present theories of analogy: (a) that they fail to model the process of object identification; (b) that, in the case of story analogues, the solution statement part may be accessed directly using schematic knowledge; (c) that they fail to model the role of goals. A theory of solution generation by analogy is proposed which takes these criticisms into account, and two aspects of the theory are tested.Experiment 1 supported the second criticism, in finding that the provision of an analogous solution statement is sufficient to influence significantly the production of a specific solution to Duncker's ‘radiation problem’. Experiment 2 tested a specific aspect of the theory, namely, the prediction that ‘functionally relevant attributes’ (FRAs) significantly influence the generation of solutions by analogy. The results confirmed this prediction but, contrary to pre‐experimental predictions, this influence seems mainly attributable to facilitation by FRAs of relational transfer.