Abstract
The authors propose a dynamical model that represents how people searches Japanese Chinese characters (Kanji) in memory space. We conducted two experiments exploring processes in which forty-five university students searched eight target characters by figural cues. The output pattern, the duration and the protocol data indicated that the process of search were divided into three phases: (i) direct search for two target characters, (ii) indirect search for three with wrong characters, (iii) impasse and insight for three difficult characters. A dynamical model of memory searching process was constructed with the results. The output pattern and the duration in the direct search phase are dependent on three constraints-relaxation of default conditions (object, relation and goal). The impasse and insight phase were simulated by a chaotic neural network. The transient dynamics were leaded by evaluation function. The implementation of the model could simulate a typical searching process of the participants.
