Barbara Tversky

Barbara Tversky is an esteemed cognitive scientist and professor of psychology and education at Stanford University. She is best known for her work in the fields of gesture, memory, visual thinking, analogy and problem-solving, but her work also touches on topics such as language, learning and communication.

Tversky has a long and distinguished career that includes active research on the topics of her expertise. She has been the author or co-author of several books and articles, the founder of the non-profit organization ArtScience Research Laboratory and served on the committees of the National Research Council and the American Psychological Association, among others. Her contributions to the evolution of research in her areas of expertise are vast and important.

Tversky’s first book, Gesture and Thought, was published in 2004 and introduced the idea of “gesture theory.” According to this theory, gesturing can be used to help us better understand the cognitive processes underlying our thinking, the structure of communication, and even the mechanics of learning. Drawing on her work in other areas such as concept mapping, Tversky argues in the book that gesturing, as a form of “visible thinking,” allows us to better understand, remember, and communicate information.

In her follow-up book, Vision in Action, published in 2011, Tversky builds on the literature she established in Gesture and Thought and introduces the theories behind visual inquiry and the use of visual methods. She advocates for the use of visual tools, such as diagrams, sketches, and photographs, to create knowledge, solve complex problems, and communicate more effectively. She provides an overview of the science and practice of visual inquiry and includes examples of visual inquiry projects and applications.

In her most recent book, Analogy in Thought and Language, Tversky uses her work on visual thinking as a platform to introduce the study of analogical reasoning, which she refers to as the “Master Tool of Thinking”. She argues that analogies can help us to understand abstract concepts and draw new connections between them. The book provides readers with an extensive overview of the history, research and applications of analogical thinking and provides a comprehensive toolkit for teaching and learning the skill.

Tversky’s work is highly respected and her books often cited in psychology and education circles. She has earned numerous awards, recognitions, and honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Research Association. Tversky’s work offers valuable insight into the operation of the mind, and her use of visual methods to teach and study complex concepts is a testament to her commitment to advancing our understanding of cognitive science.