The functional equivalence of problem solving skills

The tower of Hanoi problem is used to show that, even in simple problem environments, numerous distinct solution strategies are available, and different subjects may learn different strategies, and the analysis underscores the importance of subject-by-subject analysis of “what is learned” in understanding human behavior in problem-solving situations.

Abstract

The tower of Hanoi problem is used to show that, even in simple problem environments, numerous distinct solution strategies are available, and different subjects may learn different strategies. Four major classes of solution strategies are described for the problem. Different strategies have different degrees of transferability, place different burdens on short-term memory and on perception, and require different learning processes for their acquisition. The analysis underscores the importance of subject-by-subject analysis of "what is learned" in understanding human behavior in problem-solving situations, and provides a technique for describing subjects' task performance programs in detail.