On the Development of Alternatives: A Human - Computer System

本研究主要关注决策的前选择阶段，特别是选择方案的产生。不幸的是，很少有理论涉及决策的非选择方面。虽然有一些实证工作，但由于缺乏一般的概念框架，它往往是相当碎片化的。对这些话题的大部分关注都集中在促进提高创造力的技术上，然而，这些技术很少得到测试。虽然研究人员没有一个统一的理论，但他们确实有一个综合的计算机程序提供的结构，其中包括各种替代的生成技术。他们将扩展这个计算机程序的开发，该程序基于从高度结构化推理到非常非结构化思维的概念方法。该计划作为探索各种技术及其潜在主题的相对有效性的手段。拟议的测试将包括多种类型的问题，解决问题的持续时间长达3个月，以及在他们的职业生涯中面临创造性解决问题的挑战的受试者。除了对经验知识有所贡献外，研究结果还有助于理论的发展。

This research focuses on pre-choice stages of decision making, especially on the generation of alternatives. Unfortunately there are few theories with non-choice aspects of decision making. While there is some empirical work, it tends to be quite fragment to the lack of a general conceptual framework. Much of the attention devoted to these topics has been focused on promoting techniques for improving one's creativity, however, such techniques are rarely tested. While the investigators do not have a unifying theory, they do have the structure provided by an integrative computer program that includes a variety of alternative generation techniques. They will extend their development of this computer program which is based on a conceptual approach ranging from highly structured reasoning to very unstructured thinking. The program serves as a means for exploring the relative effectiveness of various techniques and their underlying themes. The proposed tests will include multiple types of problems, problem solving durations of up to 3 months, and subjects who face the challenge of solving problems creatively in their professional lives. As wel as contributing to empirical knowledge, the results may help to advance theory.