Fire and ice: Testing a model on culture and complex problem solving

摘要

Extending research on complex problem solving (CPS) and dynamic decision making (DDM), this study investigated the relationship between horizontal-vertical individualism-collectivism, complex problem-solving strategies, and performance in two computer-simulated problem scenarios with different task demands.Participants were 535 students from Germany and the United States (both high on horizontal individualism), Brazil (high on horizontal collectivism), and India and the Philippines (both high on vertical collectivism).Path analyses revealed that horizontal individualism, horizontal collectivism, and vertical collectivism were related to action orientation, and action orientation and planning strategies were related to performance.Strategies were even stronger predictors of performance than the control variables computer experience and intelligence.The structural path model was confirmed for the overall sample and for each of the five national samples.Cross-cultural differences in the process model are discussed.Results showed the importance of cultural values in cognitive processing, specifically for the selection of CPS strategies.