This book, designed for a college course on general problem-solving skills, focuses on skills that can be used by anyone in solving problems that occur in everyday life. Part I considers theory and practice: understanding problems, search, and protocol analysis. Part II discusses memory and knowledge acquisition: the structure of human memory, using memory effectively, and learning strategies. Part III concerns decision making: getting the facts straight, the luck of the draw, and cost-benefit analysis. Finally, part IV describes creativity and invention: cognitive processes in creative acts and how social conditions affect creativity. One appendix discusses the use of time, while a second appendix concerns probabilities. (MNS)