A comparison of information processing and dynamical systems perspectives on problem solving

Abstract

This article compares the information processing and dynamical systems perspectives on problem solving. Key theoretical constructs of the information-processing perspective include “searching” a “problem space” by using “heuristics” that produce “incremental” changes such as reaching a “subgoal” to solve a puzzle. Key theoretical constructs of the dynamical-systems perspective include “positive attractors”, “negative attractors”, and “latent attractors” that can cause large “nonincremental” changes in the possibility of a solution through the “emergence” of new ideas and beliefs that can resolve a conflict. The proposed alignment maps dynamical-system constructs to information-processing constructs: state space to problem space, negative attractor to impasse, positive attractor to productive subgoal, latent attractor to implicit cognition, and nonincremental change to insight. The purpose of the mapping is to explore similarities and differences between these constructs. Research from cognitive and social psychology illustrates how using constructs from both perspectives is helpful. The concluding section on Future Directions recommends an agenda based on three objectives: (1) create ontologies to organise current knowledge, (2) conduct research to obtain new knowledge, and (3) provide education to inform students about this knowledge.     

Family systems psychiatry in an acute in‐patient setting: the implementation and sustainability 5 years after its introduction

From 2003 to 2008 a multicentre research project, systems therapy methods in acute psychiatry (SYMPA), attempted to establish structured in‐patient treatment based on systemic interventions in German non‐university psychiatric hospitals. Utilising multi‐professional family systems training for team members in six in‐patient wards, its main goal was to improve the involvement of familial and non‐familial important others. This follow‐up study explores the sustainability of family systems psychiatry by evaluating the frequency of the utilisation of four core systemic interventions; elements of a systemic organizational culture in psychiatry; and institutional barriers to this new approach. The degree of implementation was high to moderate, depending on the intervention. More intense communication developed among staff of different professions and the status of nursing staff improved. Organizational barriers to implementation included the ambiguous role of junior doctors in teams, continuously understaffed wards and frequent over‐occupancy.     

Access to Assistive Technology,Systems Thinking,and Market Shaping: A Response to Durocher et al.

Fairness of access to assistive technology is important for its allocation on an equitable basis and for broader social justice and rights issues. Although the use of Daniels’s notion of “justice as fair opportunity” is helpful to the context of assistive technology, other aspects of Daniels’s broader conceptualisation of “just health” are not appropriate in this context. It is argued that fairness of access to assistive technology is crucial for the equitable attainment of the sustainable development goals; however, such access will be achieved only by the sector developing a much stronger systems thinking and market shaping perspective.     

The triadic systems model perspective and adolescent risk taking

In this special issue, Ernst (2014) outlines the triadic systems model, which focuses on the balanced interaction among three functional neural systems: the prefrontal cortex (regulation/control), striatum (motivation/approach), and amygdala (emotion/avoidance). Asynchrony in maturation timelines, coupled with less mature connectivity across brain regions, is thought to result in unique vulnerabilities for risk taking during the adolescent age period. Yet, the research evidence linking the triadic systems model to differences in risk taking across adolescence and adulthood is equivocal, and few studies have examined how neural development is associated with real-world behavior. In this commentary, we outline research on adolescent risk taking which highlights the importance of considering trait level and situational conditions when examining associations between neural systems and behavior, as well as the need to adopt a lifespan perspective.     

异步异构分层并行演化算法及其在串并系统可靠性优化中的应用(英文)

本文提出了一种新的并行演化算法――异步异构分层并行演化算法(AHHPGA),用于求解串并系统可靠性分配的多目标优化问题(RAP)。AHHPGA采用分层结构,上层由粗粒度模型构成,下层由细粒度模型构成。在AHHPGA的每个子种群中,采用不同的全局/局部搜索度和拓扑结构,构成异构模型。AHHPGA的迁移方式包括异步接收和异步迁出。采用基于模型的复杂系统可靠性评价工具(HiP-HOPS),以克服可靠性框图方法(RBD)的缺点。仿真结果表明,基于异步异构分层并行演化算法和HiP-HOPS工具的串并系统可靠性分配的多目标优化方法,优于传统的基于遗传算法的优化方法。