Integrating analogical mapping and general problem solving: the path-mapping theory

This article describes the path-mapping theory of how humans integrate anal ogical mapping and general problem solving. The theory posits that humans r epresent analogs with declarative roles, map analogs by lower-level retriev al of analogous role paths, and coordinate mappings with higher-level organ izational knowledge. Implemented in the ACT-R cognitive architecture, the p ath-mapping theory enables models of analogical mapping behavior to incorpo rate and interface with other problem-solving knowledge. Path-mapping model s thus can include task-specific skills such as encoding analogs or generat ing responses, and can make behavioral predictions at the level of real-wor ld metrics such as latency or correctness. We show that the path-mapping th eory can successfully account for the major phenomena addressed by previous theories of analogy. We also describe a path-mapping model that can accoun t for subjects' incremental eye-movement and typing behavior in a story-map ping task. We discuss extensions and implications of this work to other are as of analogy and problem-solving research. (C) 2001 Cognitive Science Soci ety, Inc. All rights reserved.