?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Finite+state+automata%3A+Dynamic+task+environments+in+problem+solving+research&rft.creator=Buchner%2C+Axel&rft.creator=Funke%2C+Joachim&rft.subject=Cognitive+Psychology&rft.description=This+paper+presents+a+new+research+paradigm+for+analysing+human+learning+in+dynamic+task+environments+based+on+the+theory+of+finite-state+automata.+Some+of+the+advantages+of+the+approach+are+outlined.+(1)+It+is+possible+to+design+classes+of+formally+well-described+dynamic+task+environments+instead+of+idiosyncratic+microworlds+that+are+difficult+if+not+impossible+to+compare.+(2)+The+approach+suggests+assumptions+about+the+mental+representation+of+a+discrete+dynamic+system.+(3)+The+finite-state+automata+formalism+suggests+systematic+and+appropriate+diagnostic+procedures.+(4)+Using+finite-state+automata+to+design+dynamic+task+environments%2C+one+does+not+have+to+give+up+the+%22ecological+validity%22+appeal+of+computer-simulated+scenarios.%0AAn+experiment+on+the+utility+of+an+external+memory+support+system+with+system+complexity+and+type+of+memory+support+as+independent+variables+is+reported+to+illustrate+the+application+of+the+formal+framework.+Systematically+derived+dependent+variables+reflect+both+system+knowledge+and+control+performance.+The+results+suggest+that+the+benefits+due+to+the+availability+of+the+external+aid+vary+as+a+function+of+the+complexity+of+the+task.+Also%2C+using+reaction+time+measurements%2C+priming+phenomena+have+been+found+that+point+to+the+importance+of+sequentiality+in+the+representation+of+discrete+systems.+It+is+concluded+that+the+approach%2C+although+not+entirely+new+in+experimental+psychology%2C+awaits+further+exploration+in+research+on+human+learning+in+dynamic+task+environments+and+promises+to+be+a+stimulating+paradigm+for+both+basic+and+applied+research.&rft.date=1993&rft.type=Journal+(Paginated)&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F3007%2F1%2FBuchner_Funke_1993_QJEP.pdf&rft.identifier=++Buchner%2C+Axel+and+Funke%2C+Joachim++(1993)+Finite+state+automata%3A+Dynamic+task+environments+in+problem+solving+research.++%5BJournal+(Paginated)%5D+++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F3007%2F