Forward search, pattern recognition and visualization in expert chess: A reply to Chabris and Hearst (2003)

Abstract

Chabris and Hearst (2003) produce new data on the question of the respective role of pattern recognition and forward search in expert behaviour. They argue that their data show that search is more important than claimed by Chase and Simon (1973). They also note that the role of mental imagery has been neglected in expertise research and propose that theories of expertise should integrate pattern recognition, search, and mental imagery. In this commentary, I show that their results are not clear-cut and can also be taken as supporting the predominant role of pattern recognition. Previous theories such as the chunking theory (Chase & Simon, 1973) and the template theory (Gobet & Simon, 1996a), as well as a computer model (SEARCH; Gobet, 1997) have already integrated mechanisms of pattern recognition, forward search and mental imagery. Methods for addressing the respective roles of pattern recognition and search are proposed.