Abstract
Epstein’s attempted simulation and reduction of the problem-solving process to the interconnection of discrete repertoires was examined. His position was challenged on both empirical and conceptual grounds. It was concluded however that the difference in perspective between cogni-tively oriented theorists and those persuaded by a radical behavioristic model represents an attitudinal problem and is not susceptible to resolution by empirical means.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
BIRCH, H. B. (1945). The relation of previous experience to insightful problem-solving. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 38, 367–383.
ELLEN, P. (1982). Direction, past experience, and hints in creative problem solving: Reply to Weisberg and Alba. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 111, 316–325.
EPSTEIN, R. (1981). On pigeons and people: A preliminary look at the Columban Simulation Project. The Behavior Analyst, 4(1), 43–55.
EPSTEIN, R. (1985). The spontaneous interconnection of three repertoires. The Psychological Record, 35, 131–141.
EPSTEIN, R., KIRSHNIT, C., LANZA, R., & RUBIN, L. (1984). ’Insight’ in the pigeon: Antecedents and determinants of an intelligent performance. Nature, 308, 1 March, 61–62.
EPSTEIN, R., LANZA, R. P., & SKINNER, B. F. (1980). Symbolic communication between two pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Science, 207, 543–545.
HULL, C. L. (1943). The concept of the habit-family hierarchy and maze learning. Psychological Review, 41, 33–54.
JAMES, W. (1890). The principles of psychology. New York: Holt.
KÖHLER, W. (1925). The mentality of apes. New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
MAIER, N. R. F. (1937). Reasoning in rats and human beings. Psychological Review, 44, 365–378.
NEISSER, U. (1985). Nested structure in autobiographical memory. In D. A. RUBIN (Ed.), Autobiographical memory. New York: Cambridge University Press.
SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S., & RUMBAUGH, D. M. (1980). Requisites of symbolic communication—or, are words for birds? The Psychological Record, 30, 305–318.
WEISBERG, R. W., & ALBA, J. W. (1981). An examination of the alleged role of “fixation” in the solution of several “insight” problems. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 110, 169–192.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Preparation of this paper was supported in part by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Division of Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health (Nichd-06016 and Rr-00165).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ellen, P., Pate, J.L. Is Insight Merely Response Chaining?: A Reply to Epstein. Psychol Rec 36, 155–160 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394936
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394936