title: A test of the circumvention-of-limits hypothesis in scientific problem solving: the case of geological bedrock mapping.
abstract: Sources of individual differences in scientific problem solving were investigated. Participants representing a wide range of experience in geology completed tests of visuospatial ability and geological knowledge, and performed a geological bedrock mapping task, in which they attempted to infer the geological structure of an area in the Tobacco Root Mountains of Montana. A Visuospatial Ability × Geological Knowledge interaction was found, such that visuospatial ability positively predicted mapping performance at low, but not high, levels of geological knowledge. This finding suggests that high levels of domain knowledge may sometimes enable circumvention of performance limitations associated with cognitive abilities.
authors: Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. hambric3@msu.edu
authors: David Z
authors: DZ
authors: Hambrick
authors: Julie C
authors: JC
authors: Libarkin
authors: Heather L
authors: HL
authors: Petcovic
authors: Kathleen M
authors: KM
authors: Baker
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Elkins
authors: Caitlin N
authors: CN
authors: Callahan
authors: Sheldon P
authors: SP
authors: Turner
authors: Tara A
authors: TA
authors: Rench
authors: Nicole D
authors: ND
authors: Ladue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005844:Geology; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D019359:Knowledge; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D013028:Space Perception