Proposed a theory to explain, in information-processing terms, some common phenomena in the initial perceptual phases of problem solving, to show that some existing computer programs for heuristic search and learning already contain basic processes that will produce these phenomena, and to show how simple organizations of the processes enable the programs to parallel human behavior. The theory is particularized in a computer program to simulate the eye movements, during the 1st 5 sec., of Ss choosing a move in chess. The application of the theory is illustrated and its consistency is shown with data on memory of chess positions and with existing knowledge of short-term memory parameters.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)