The Interaction Effects Between General Thinking Skills and an Interactive Graphics‐Based DSS to Support Problem Structuring*

Abstract

ABSTRACTAn interactive graphics‐based problem‐structuring aid, GISMO, based on concepts from structural modeling and motivated by research in imagery theory and cognitive psychology was incorporated into a decision support system. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the relationships between three individual general thinking skills (GTS) and the effectiveness of the problem‐structuring tool. A theoretical model of the roles of GTS and GISMO in problem formulation and a methodology for testing the model are presented. The model posits that the effectiveness of visual problem‐structuring aids in formulating or understanding complex problems is influenced by specific cognitive skills (i.e., visual‐thinking, verbal, and logical‐reasoning skills).The results indicate GISMO use is related to higher levels of problem‐structure understanding, regardless of verbal and logical‐reasoning skills. Also, the results indicate a strong interaction effect between GISMO use and visual‐thinking skill. Subjects classified as high visual thinkers benefited more from the use of GISMO than the low visual‐thinking subjects. The results of the experiment lend support for the findings of a previous study of GISMO reported in the literature, and the image theorist view that the ability to create and use visual, mental images is related to better problem‐solving performance.