The analogical mind

Am Psychol. 1997 Jan;52(1):35-44.

Abstract

The use of analogy in human thinking is examined from the perspective of a multiconstraint theory, which postulates 3 basic types of constraints: similarity, structure, and purpose. The operation of these constraints is apparent in laboratory experiments on analogy and in naturalistic settings, including politics, psychotherapy, and scientific research. The multiconstraint theory has been implemented in detailed computational simulations of the analogical human mind.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Association Learning*
  • Concept Formation*
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logic
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Politics
  • Problem Solving*
  • Psychotherapy
  • Research