Human Problem Handling

In Chap. 3 the definition of a general problem is given and different kinds of problems and the concept of problem handling are described. This is followed by a discussion of when is something a problem, for whom it is a problem, a discussion of interventions, who should handle the problem and when a problem is solved. In a brief historical review, the work of a selection of researchers on problem solving in the field of cognitive psychology is discussed. We discussed the differences between the problems investigated by cognitive psychology and complex societal problems. Chapter 3 ended with a definition of complex societal problems. In this chapter, Human Problem Handling, some similarities between the problems investigated by cognitive psychology and complex societal problems will be discussed. We discuss the process of human problem handling, and we will answer the remaining parts of the research question a3 of expectation a: what are the similarities relevant for handling complex societal problems between the problems that are studied in the field of Cognitive Psychology and problems in the field of the theory of the methodology of societal complexity (expectation a)? This chapter begins with a description of the two sub-cycles of the problem handling process in which there are several problem handling phases. The phases of the problem handling process will be described in detail in order to emphasize certain similarities between the problems dealt with by cognitive psychology and complex societal problems. Then there is a discussion on the use of scenarios based on system dynamics models. The problem handling phases that are identified by other researchers will be discussed, followed by a discussion of rationality in problem handling, and the knowledge and data needed for handling complex societal problems. The discussion in this chapter ends with some remarks about problem handling techniques.