Dynamic knowledge interaction in human cognition

The results of a cognitive psychological experiment indicate that it is hard for people to use their knowledge dynamically and flexibly. In the experiment, participants carried out a category-learning test-task. They learned information pertaining to two categories and classified items based on that knowledge. In one experimental condition, the features of categories could be inferred from the information, and in the other condition features could not be inferred. Regardless of the difference, participants never inferred the features when the information was not explicitly given. Only in an extremely limited situation (viz. when it was possible to infer the features of categories, the knowledge was explicitly presented and there was sufficient time to process the information) could the participants use their knowledge dynamically. The results suggest that knowledge use is very restricted. Appropriate support is necessary in order for people to use knowledge flexibly. It may be possible that communication with other people and computer system support would facilitate the dynamic use of knowledge