Content effects in problem categorization and problem solving.

The goal of this article is to examine how the specific content of a problem may affect the problem solving of experienced solvers. In most domains, there is an empirical correlation between problem types and problem contents. We argue that experienced problem solvers learn to make use of these formally irrelevant, but empirically predictive, contents in accessing and applying their relevant knowledge. Understanding these content effects is important not only because content affects performance, but also because these effects provide clues as to how experienced solvers represent and use this relevant knowledge. We first provide some background on problem content and expertise and then return to this issue.