Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Problem Solving

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Development of Self-Determination Through the Life-Course

Abstract

Problem solving is another element of agentic action. This chapter reviews the role of problem solving in agentic action and Causal Agency Theory. It also describes the role of autonomous motivation, as defined by Self-Determination Theory in problem solving. The literature on the development of problem solving, interventions to promote problem solving skills, and the linkages between problem solving and valued outcomes is reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ailey, S. H., Friese, T. R., & Nezu, A. M. (2012). Modifying a social problem-solving program with the input of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their staff. Research in Nursing & Health, 35, 610–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, C. (1996a). Problem solving in school. Upper Saddle River: Globe Fearon Educational Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, C. (1996b). Problem solving on the job. Upper Saddle River: Globe Fearon Educational Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, C. A., Skinner, M., & Ko, K. (2009). An integrative model of everyday problem solving across the adult life span. In Handbook of research on adult learning and development (pp. 524–552). New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard-Opitz, V., Sriram, N., & Nakhoda-Sapuan, S. (2001). Enhancing social problem solving in children with autism and normal children through computer-assisted instruction. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 377–398.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buchner, A. (1995). Basic topics and approaches to the study of complex problem solving. In Complex problem solving: The European perspective (pp. 27–63). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, L., & Meichenbaum, D. (1981). The assessment of interpersonal problem-solving skills. In P. Kendall & S. D. Hollon (Eds.), Assessment strategies for cognitive-behavioral interventions (pp. 197–225). New York: Academic.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, J. I., Shin, J. L., Williams, D., & Stewart, D. E. (2004). A brief problem-solving intervention for family caregivers to individuals with advanced cancer. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57, 137–143. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00609-3.

  • Chang, E., D’Zurilla, T. J., & Sanna, L.J, J (Eds.). (2004). Social problem solving: Theory, research, and training. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Z., Siegler, R. S., & Daehler, M. W. (2000). Across the great divide: Bridging the gap between understanding of toddlers’ and older children's thinking. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 65, 1–105. doi:10.2307/3181574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conger, K. J., Williams, S. T., Little, W. M., Masyn, K. E., & Shebloski, B. (2009). Development of mastery during adolescence: The role of family problem-solving. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50, 99–114.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Crites, S. A., & Dunn, C. (2004). Teaching social problem solving to individuals with mental retardation. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 39, 301–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J. (1986). Problem solving therapy. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Goldfried, M. R. (1971). Problem solving and behavior modification. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 78, 107–126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elias, M. J., & Tobias, S. E. (1996). Social problem solving: Interventions in the schools. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, S., & Siegler, R. S. (1994). Development of problem solving. In Thinking and problem solving (pp. 333–367). San Diego: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington-Flint, L., Vanuxem-Cotterill, S., & Stiller, J. (2009). Patterns of problem-solving in children's literacy and arithmetic. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 27, 815–834. doi:10.1348/026151008X383148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frischkorn, G. T., Greiff, S., & Wüstenberg, S. (2014). The development of complex problem solving in adolescence: A latent growth curve analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106, 1007–1020. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0037114.

  • Funke, J. (2010). Complex problem solving: A case for complex cognition? Cognitive Processing, 11, 133–142. doi:10.1007/s10339-009-0345-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, A. P. (in press). Effectiveness of word solving: Integrating morphological problem-solving within comprehension instruction for middle school students. Reading and Writing. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11145-015-9581-0.

  • Heppner, P. P., & Lee, D.-G. (2009). Problem-solving appraisal and psychological adjustment. In Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 345–355). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, M. J., Lee, D.-G., Heppner, P. P., McKinnon, L. C., Multon, K. D., & Gysbers, N. C. (2004). The role of problem-solving appraisal in the process and outcome of career counseling. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65, 217–238. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0001-8791(03)00100-3.

  • Hill-Briggs, F. (2003). Problem solving in diabetes self-management: A model of chronic illness self-management behavior. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25, 182–193. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2503_04.

  • Hill-Briggs, F., & Gemmell, L. (2007). Problem solving in diabetes self-management and control: A systematic review of the literature. The Diabetes Educator, 33, 1032–1050. doi:10.1177/1049732304273888.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hua, Y., Woods-Groves, S., Kaldenberg, E. R., Lucas, K. G., & Therrien, W. J. (2015). Effects of the TIP strategy on problem solving skills of young adults with intellectual disability. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 50, 31–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jitendra, A., & Xin, Y. P. (1997). Mathematical word-problem-solving instruction for students with mild disabilities and students at risk for math failure: A research synthesis. The Journal of Special Education, 30, 412–438. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002246699703000404.

  • Keatley, D., Clarke, D. D., & Hagger, M. S. (2013). Investigating the predictive validity of implicit and explicit measures of motivation in problem-solving behavioural tasks. British Journal of Social Psychology, 52, 510–524. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8309.2012.02107.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kleiboer, A., Donker, T., Seekles, W., van Straten, A., Riper, H., & Cuijpers, P. (2015). A randomized controlled trial on the role of support in internet-based problem solving therapy for depression and anxiety. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 72, 63–71. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.06.013.

  • Little, T. D., Hawley, P. H., Henrich, C. C., & Marsland, K. (2002). Three views of the agentic self: A developmental synthesis. In E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of self-determination research (pp. 389–404). Rochester: University of Rochester Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMurran, M., Huband, N., & Duggan, C. (2008). The role of social problem solving in improving social functioning in therapy for adults with personality disorder. Personality and Mental Health, 2, 1–6. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmh.19.

  • Meyers, F. J., Carducci, M., Loscalzo, M. J., Linder, J., Greasby, T., & Beckett, L. A. (2011). Effects of a problem-solving intervention (COPE) on quality of life for patients with advanced cancer on clinical trials and their caregivers: Simultaneous care educational intervention (SCEI): Linking palliation and clinical trials. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 14, 465–473. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2010.0416.

  • Montague, M., Enders, C., & Dietz, S. (2011). Effects of cognitive strategy instruction on math problem solving of middle school students with learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 34, 262–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montague, M., Krawec, J., Enders, C., & Dietz, S. (2014). The effects of cognitive strategy instruction on math problem solving of middle-school students of varying ability. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106(2), 469–481. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0035176.

  • Muis, K. R., Psaradellis, C., Chevrier, M., Leo, I. D., & Lajoie, S. P. (in press). Learning by preparing to teach: Fostering Self-regulatory processes and achievement during complex mathematics problem solving. Journal of Educational Psychology. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/edu0000071.

  • Nezu, A. M. (2004). Problem solving and behavior therpay revisited. Behavior Therapy, 35, 1–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., Friedman, S. H., Faddis, S., & Houts, P. S. (1998). Helping cancer patients cope: A problem-solving approach. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pezzuti, L., Artistico, D., Chirumbolo, A., Picone, L., & Dowd, S. M. (2014). The relevance of logical thinking and cognitive style to everyday problem solving among older adults. Learning and Individual Differences, 36, 218–223. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2014.07.011.

  • Sahler, O. J. Z., Varni, J. W., Fairclough, D. L., Butler, R. W., Noll, R. B., Dolgin, M. J., … Mulhern, R. K. (2002). Problem-solving skills training for mothers of children with newly diagnosed cancer: A randomized trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 23, 77–86. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004703-200204000-00003.

  • Shogren, K. A., & Turnbull, A. P. (2006). Promoting self-determination in young children with disabilities: The critical role of families. Infants and Young Children, 19, 338–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shure, M. B., Spivack, G., & Jaeger, M. (1972). Problem-solving thinking and adjustment among disadvantaged preschool children. Child Development, 42, 1791–1803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinnott, J. D. (Ed.). (1989). Everyday problem solving: Theory and applications. New York: Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siu, A. M. H., & Shek, D. T. L. (2010). Social problem solving as a predictor of well-being in adolescents and young adults. Social Indicators Research, 95, 393–406. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9527-5.

  • Smith, D. C. (2003). Problem solving as an element of development well-being. In Well-being: Positive development across the life course (pp. 321–330). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spivack, G., & Shure, M. (1974). Social adjustment of young children. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, H. L., Lussier, C. M., & Orosco, M. J. (2015). Cognitive strategies, working memory, and growth in word problem solving in children with math difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 48, 339–358. doi:10.1177/0022219413498771.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wade, S. L., Kurowski, B. G., Kirkwood, M. W., Zhang, N., Cassedy, A., Brown, T. M., … Taylor, H. G. (2015). Online problem-solving therapy after traumatic brain injury: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 135, 487–495. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1386.

  • Whitby, P. J. S. (2013). The effects of Solve it! on the mathematical word problem solving ability of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 28(2), 78–88. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1088357612468764.

  • Willatts, P. (1990). Development of problem-solving strategies in infancy. In Children’s strategies: Contemporary views of cognitive development (pp. 23–66). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Special Education, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Karrie A. Shogren & Michael L. Wehmeyer

Authors
  1. Karrie A. Shogren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael L. Wehmeyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karrie A. Shogren .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Special Education, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Michael L. Wehmeyer

  2. Special Education, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Karrie A. Shogren

  3. Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA

    Todd D. Little

  4. Gallup and The Clifton Strengths School, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

    Shane J. Lopez

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Shogren, K.A., Wehmeyer, M.L. (2017). Problem Solving. In: Wehmeyer, M., Shogren, K., Little, T., Lopez, S. (eds) Development of Self-Determination Through the Life-Course. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1042-6_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation