Memory Constraints on Hypothesis Generation and Decision Making
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Date
2014-08-01Author
Rick Thomas
Michael R. Dougherty
Daniel R. Buttaccio
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Abstract
Hypothesis generation is the process people use to generate explanations for patterns of data, which is an act vital to everyday problem solving. It is the basis for decision making in many professions, such as medicine, intelligence and reconnaissance analysis, auditing, and fault detection in nuclear power plants. Even laypeople’s impressions of acquaintances’ personalities based on behavioral patterns can be considered a case of hypothesis generation. This article provides an overview of research elucidating the cognitive processes that underlie hypothesis generation and decision making.
Citation
Thomas, R., Dougherty, M. R., & Buttaccio, D. R. (2014). Memory Constraints on Hypothesis Generation and Decision Making. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(4), 264-270. doi: 10.1177/0963721414534853