Linking Adaptation and Similarity

The case-based reasoning (CBR) process solves problems by retrieving prior solutions and adapting them to t new circumstances. Many studies examine how case-based reasoners learn by storing new cases and reening the indices used to retrieve cases. However, little attention has been given to learning to reene the process for applying retrieved cases. This paper describes research investigating how a case-based reasoner can learn strategies for adapting prior cases to t new situations, and how its similarity criteria may be reened pragmatically to reeect new capabilities for case adaptation. We begin by highlighting psychological research on the development of similarity criteria and summarizing our model of case adaptation learning. We then discuss initial steps towards pragmatically reening similarity criteria based on experiences with case adaptation.