Developing experience-based (tacit) knowledge through reflection

This investigation examined the effectiveness of reflection methods derived from Sternberg's theory of practical intelligence Sternberg, R.J., and Hedlund, J. (2002). Practical intelligence, g, and work psychology. Human Performance 15(1/2), 143–160.; Sternberg, R.J., Forsythe, G.B., Hedlund, J., Horvath, H.A., Wagner, R.K., Williams, W.M., et al. (2000). Practical intelligence in everyday life. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2000] on the acquisition of experience-based, tacit knowledge. Two related experimental studies were conducted to test the effect of brief tacit-knowledge reflection training on practical problem solving. Reflection methods were developed based on Sternberg's conceptualized condition–action structure of tacit knowledge. In the first study, 101 U.S. Army officers participated in a reflection intervention or practice control. Results showed an effect of reflection condition on post-test tacit-knowledge scores (F 3, 91] = 3.74, p = .01, 2 = .03). In the second study, 235 college students participated in a reflection intervention or an academic-type reflection control. Results showed that the reflection condition approached significance on post-test scores (F 1, 233] = 3.47, p = .06, p = .06, 2 = .01). The investigation suggests this line of inquiry warrants continued study.