Alexander Poddiakov's presentation "Objects with 'Secrets' Based on the 'If-Then' Principle in Psychologists' Experiments"

On November 5, the 104th session of the scientific-theoretical seminar "Formal Philosophy" was held.

Abstract
One way of learning about new objects across various fields is to experiment with them to uncover hidden effects and dependencies. Psychologists study this very process of experimentation. For their experiments, they create various "problem boxes" with secrets for participants—both children and adults—to investigate. The objects themselves are designed to surprise, puzzle, and create conditions for formulating hypotheses, making attempts, committing errors, and experiencing "Aha!" moments. This activity is observed, and strategies are identified, among other things. The presentation will examine the features of these objects in the context of their primary function: to make certain components of thought activity observable. Some of these objects will be presented as demonstration materials.

This research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 23-18-00695.