International Scientific
Journal of Methods and Models of Complexity
VOLUME 5, ISSSUE 1
JUNE 2002
SPECIAL ON
CHAOS THEORY
Types of problem
solving activity in a complex environment:
Steps towards modeling by a cusp-catastrophe
Jorgen A. Jensen & Ole E. Rasmussen
Abstract
A conception of the relationship among competence, qualifications, and learning is proposed as grounds for establishing a model of problem solving in complex, dynamic task environments. The conditions for testing the model are discussed in terms of catastrophe theory, which describes bifurcating systems that has not yet moved into chaos. The task environment of intopia, a computer simulation of an entrepeneurial task used in our investigations, is briefly described. On this background four issues are presented and discussed, leading up to a statement of conditions for testing the model. The issues are the problem solving agent, the unit of description of a problem solving course, the interpretations of sequences of units, and the identification of sense making.
Keywords: problem solving, competence, qualifications, catastrophe theory, sense making, simulation, dynamic problems.