Analogical reasoning
German sociologist and political scientist Hartmut Rosa has a theory of social acceleration which describes how modern society experiences a "shrinking of the present". We stand on "slipping slopes" - a technology enabled social terrain in constant motion demanding increasingly rapid responses to ever changing challenges. This acceleration creates a paradox: despite technological advances promising to save time, we face greater time pressure, daily demands and increasingly complex problems that our usual cognitive approaches struggle to solve.
Analogical reasoning –a tool from Problem Solver– offers a powerful cognitive anchor in this acceleration trap. By identifying structural similarities between different domains and transferring solution patterns from familiar contexts to unfamiliar ones, we can navigate novel challenges without having to "learn everything over again every five years." This isn't simply recalling past experiences, but a sophisticated cognitive skill that enables problem solving breakthroughs by drawing meaningful connections across seemingly unrelated fields.
Tina
Analogical reasoning
Analogical reasoning utilises solutions applied to past problems, or problems solved in a different context, to help solve the problem at hand.
By identifying patterns and drawing connections between alternate problems, knowledge can be mapped from one domain to another to identify viable solutions.
We use analogies every day to solve problems, mostly without even realising. When we refer to known answers to determine how to calculate something, when we utilise strategies or tactics that were helpful in different situations and when we look to how others overcame challenges in their lives to help us with our own. Analogical reasoning across disciplines has spurred breakthroughs in design, politics, science and engineering.
Wilbur and Orville Wright devised some of the features of their planes by utilising analogical reasoning. They drew connections between how the wings of a bird enable them to fly and how to achieve flight with the wings of an aircraft. Based on how birds use their wing tips during flight they designed operable wing tips so that pilots could make subtle adjustments.
The effectiveness of analogical reasoning is highly influenced by one’s knowledge base to be able to identify analogies and relevant information. In this respect expertise or familiarity with the problem context is an advantage to be able to draw parallels.
Adapted from Holyoak, K.J. & Thagard, P. 1989. "A computational model of analogical problem solving." In S. Vosniadou and A. Ortony (Eds.). Similarity and analogical reasoning. Cambridge University Press.
Get it done
1. Define the source problem
Identify the key problem characteristics or attributes; this is the source problem.
2. Identify target problem
Consider past problems and problems in different contexts that have been solved. Those with common characteristics to the source problem can be utilised for analogical reasoning. Identify an analogy and its key characteristics; this is the target problem.
During this step additional analogies or ideas about the source problem and potential solutions may become evident. Document them and set them aside.
3. Match rules
Considering the characteristics of the source problem and the target problem, match rules that apply to both. Consider a ‘rule’ to be a statement of truth or fact that explains an action, change, attribute or situation.
4. Filter
Select and apply the most relevant rules to the problem.
5. Asses
Do the rules applied solve the problem? If not, continue the process by reassessing the problem characteristics then find a new target problem to reason with.
References
Ozkan, O. & Dogan, F. 2012. "Cognitive strategies of analogical reasoning in design: Differences between expert and novice designers." Design Studies. 34(2), pp. 161-192.