Gary L. Bradshaw - US grants

Psychology - Cognitive (73)

The realm of the mind is mental processes: thinking is not an object, but an intricate activity carried out by the brain. Traditional educational vehicles (classroom lectures, books) cannot depict the dynamic character of human thought processes. Instead, they merely describe mental processes. Here we are developing modules for a new web site, Psychological Processes, that provide students with interactive demonstrations and experiments designed to reveal our current understanding of the dynamics of thinking. In this proof-of concept proposal, our goal is to develop two modules covering "The Descriptive Mind" and "The Adaptive Mind." Each module is being designed as a set of numerous Java programs that allow students to conduct experiments, interact with psychological models, and experience demonstrations about psychological processes. From these experiences, we expect students to acquire a better understanding about how human thinking works, as well as a better appreciation for the role of experimentation in illuminating psychological processes.

Each of the areas is based on a functional schema of human thinking designed to provide a unified framework that encompasses many seemingly distinct phenomena. The development process is based on staged deployment, with considerable beta testing using college undergraduates and gradual introduction into our existing Introductory Psychology course. Evaluation of the modules will include a comparison of a traditional text-based treatment against the new form of presentation. National distribution will occur initially through the web. Instructors nationwide will have access to a mailing list that shares new developments, bug reports, comments, and invitations to participate in beta testing of new modules or provide comments about modules under development.

Psychology - Cognitive (73)
The realm of the mind is mental process: thinking is not an object, but an intricate activity carried out by the brain. Traditional educational forums (classroom lectures, books) cannot readily depict the dynamic and reactive character of human thought; instead, they merely describe these processes. An alternative approach is to use computer-mediated educational materials that enable students to experience human thought processes. In previous work, sponsored by NSF, we created some educational units for an interactive website known as epsych. Epsych provides students with interactive demonstrations, experiments, and models designed to reveal our current understanding of the dynamics of thinking. Previous units include vision, hearing, decision-making, and learning. Now we are extending this site by adding units on language, problem-solving, brain and mind, consciousness, social processes, memory, and comparative psychology. These units incorporate a number of modules, each of which includes Java programs that allow students to conduct experiments, interact with psychological models, and experience demonstrations about psychological processes. From these experiences, students acquire a better understanding about how human thinking works, as well as a better appreciation for the role of experimentation in illuminating psychological processes.

Several aspects of the site make it both user-friendly and learner-friendly. The site incorporates a number of indexes that allow for fast access to individual demonstrations, experiments, simulations, and units. A consistent look-and-feel across the site also facilitates user interaction. To sustain student motivation, the site challenges students with puzzles, allows them to manipulate and control interesting models of thought, and provides information on their own performance vis-a-vis other students.

National dissemination is currently being performed via the World Wide Web. Instructors nationwide have access to a mailing list that shares new developments, bug reports, comments, and invitations to participate in beta testing of new modules or provide comments about modules under developments. To provide long-term support, we are seeking contacts with publishers as a way to transition the site to commercial support. The site is compatible with CD-ROM publication or with a password-protected web site.

ABSTRACT
SGER
Bradshaw, An Archive of Viki, A Home Reared Chimpanzee
SES 01-15916

Beginning in 1947, Catherine and Keith Hayes raised Viki, a common chimpanzee, as if she were a human infant. The experiment continued until Viki's untimely death in 1954 of viral encephalitis. During that time, Catherine Hayes kept a detailed daily diary of Viki's behavior, collected numerous photographs of the project, along with unpublished book chapters and manuscript materials. This is the most important cross-rearing project of its kind, given the length of the effort, the quality of the investigators, and the thorough documentation of the project.

Catherine Hayes (now Catherine Nissen), preserved these extensive records of the project. She is now suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and is reluctant to make any permanent arrangements for the disposition of these invaluable scientific records. Her daughter, Diana Hovey, believes it is possible to negotiate such an arrangement. This project supports a visit by the PI to meet with Catherine Nissen in Middleton, WI, in the near future. The goal is to arrange for a donation of these invaluable scientific records. Photocopies of all material are to be made, along with copy photographs of images. The project supports an undergraduate student to conduct the preliminary sorting of the copied materials. The PI also intends to negotiate with an institution, according to Ms. Nissen's wishes, for a permanent home for the extensive records of this singularly important research project.

Although technological innovation is seen as essential to the success of the US economy, our discussions about the nature of innovation are all too often fuzzy, relying on vague notions of genius, luck, perseverance, or Yankee ingenuity. However, if government or private business are to make strategic investments in technology, then it is important to develop a better understanding about how individuals create new technology. This research examines discovery and invention as cognitive processes to advance understanding of technological creativity. The particular focus is on one of the most prolific U.S. inventors, Thomas Alva Edison. His inventions include the kinetoscope/kinetograph, which led to the motion picture industry); the phonograph, which led to the recording industry; and the electric light, which led to the electric generator and power grid. In his day, few questioned the processes that made Edison so successful: He was regarded as a genius beyond the reckoning of ordinary people. Even today, our knowledge of Edison is a complex mixture of myth and fact. Thus the nature of his success remains a considerable mystery: How did Edison produce such a remarkable string of successes? By studying his inventive processes in detail, this research advances the understanding of the psychology of invention and innovation, in particular the thought processes that help inventors produce practical inventions that are commercially successful.



Intellectual Merit
This project analyzes Edison's notebooks, correspondence, and artifacts to reveal the methods Edison used as an inventor and innovator. The focus of the research is understand invention as the movement of ideas across three spaces: experimental, design, and conceptual. This research reveals the mental models Edison used to think about his inventions, the heuristics he used to create and improve his inventions, and the strategies Edison pursued in coordinating a complex set of activities.

Broader Impact
This research identifies creative methods that can be taught to engineers and innovators in order to help them to produce innovative products. Managers, as a result of understanding the creative processes that underlie innovation, should be able to evaluate whether the prerequisites for innovation are met and to track innovative progress (or lack thereof). Finally, this research makes fundamental contributions to the psychology of creativity and invention.