ABSTRACT
Logically, the claim to expert knowledge—an arcane knowledge that goes beyond everyday understanding—might be made by anyone who had developed an abstract representation of a particular domain. With just cognitive criteria in mind, for example, we could claim to be an expert in typing as easily as in law or physics (Rumelhart and Norman, 1982). We might even make the case that energetic devotees of romance novels should be considered experts in their chosen field because of their highly developed critical sense (Radway, 1984). Perhaps even the solitary enthusiast who collects all manner of opossums should be called an expert when his knowledge of North America's only marsupial surpasses ordinary understanding.
