Using Programs to Solve Problems: Imitation versus Insight

Authors

Stan A. Kuczaj, University of Southern MississippiFollow
John D. Gory, EPCOT CenterFollow
Mark J. Xitco Jr., Space and Naval Warfare SystemsFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1998

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Dolphins exhibit both action-level imitation (ALI) and program-level imitation (PLI). Dolphins may use ALI primarily for social cohesion, whereas PLI seems more likely to occur in goal-directed, problem-solving contexts. Both PLI and insightful problem solving require a recognition of the functional relations between actions and outcomes. Insightful problem solving, however, involves the creation of a program in the absence of a model, and therefore requires a higher order appreciation and application of the relations between actions and outcomes.

Publication Title

Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Volume

21

Issue

5

First Page

695

Last Page

+

Recommended Citation

Kuczaj, S. A., Gory, J. D., Xitco, M. J. (1998). Using Programs to Solve Problems: Imitation versus Insight. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 21(5), 695-+.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/5149