Some research into Cognitive Architectures is concerned with modeling the methods by which human solve problems. An example of this is Teton (K.Vanlehn, W. Ball). Another approach is to try to develop architectures which behave intelligently without regard to the psychological plausability of the method via which the behavior is achieved. Still yet another approach is to claim that intelligence can not be achieved without modeling the architecture of the brain first, and then determining the methods which will produce the desired behavior.
The Einstellung Effect is an example of piece of human data some cognitive architects point to to claim some validity of their own architecture. It is the observation that once people find a solution to a problem, they tend to stick with it, even if a better method is available.
The Power Law of Learning is another example. With more practice at a task, people seem to always be getting faster. However, the rate of learning decreases the more practice one has.