The Role of Domain-Specific Knowledge in Intentional Conceptual Change

Abstract

Although written more than a century ago, these passages from the Principles of Psychology by William James provide a good starting point for illustrating several issues discussed throughout this chapter. Over recent decades, one of the clearest results obtained in research on conceptual change concerned subjects’ resistance to changing their prior ideas and beliefs. The explanation of this resistance and of why people do not take into account alternative ideas was one of the goals pursued by many researchers.