Induced strategy shifts in spatial reasoning

Previous research on reasoning about spatial arrangements has revealed two major strategies used by adults: Series Formation and Elimination. It was hypothesized that all adults have both strategies available. An experiment was carried out in which subjects who showed no spontaneous tendency to shift strategy were induced to do so. The strategy shifts by the subjects are simulated by a computer program in the form of a homogeneous production system. The conditions under which homogeneous and hierarchical production system models will yield the same predictions are discussed.