Information Processing Capacity and the Problem of Horizontal Decalage: A Demonstration Using Combinatorial Reasoning Tasks

Abstract

SCARDAMALIA, MARLENE. Information Processing Capacity and the Problem of Horizontal Decalage: A Demonstration Using Combinatorial Reasoning Tasks. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 28-37. The potency of Pascual-Leone's M construct is demonstrated by experimental production of decalages on combinatorial reasoning tasks. Logical and perceptual task characteristics remained constant while quantitative demands, due to number of variables, were varied. Tasks were assigned so that processing demands, relative to processing capacities, were the same for subjects at each of 3 age levels (8-10 and 10-12 years, N = 15 per level; and adults, N = 10). Age-level differences in performance between adults and children were thereby effectively eliminated. For each age level, Pascual-Leone's model correctly predicted the conditions under which combinatorial strategies would be generated and successfully or unsuccessfully applied.