Adaptive Development and Institutional Problem-Solving

Abstract

Human beings continually adapt to their physical and social environment; problem-solving is a constant and core activity (Popper 2001). Every day, individuals encounter problems that they solve singly as well as jointly with others. In both cases, problem-solving proceeds within some explicit or implicit representation of the relevant situation. In cognitive problem solving, our behavior is largely the outcome of the rules and propensities bounded within particular worldviews. In associative problem-solving, our actions and interactions similarly reflect particular representations of the problem environment that we share with others.