Final answer:
A cognitive psychologist likely helped programmers develop problem-solving algorithms for a chess-playing supercomputer by providing insights into human cognition and problem-solving strategies, contributing to the multidisciplinary field that bridges psychology and technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychologist who assisted in developing problem-solving algorithms for a chess-playing supercomputer was most likely specialized in cognitive psychology. This field explores the processes of thinking, which includes perception, learning, problem solving, judgment, and memory. By understanding how humans think and solve problems, a cognitive psychologist can help design algorithms that simulate human problem-solving strategies in computers. Given that thinking can be likened to computation, the goal would be to create a system that can process information and make decisions in a way similar to how a human would approach a game of chess.
This collaboration reflects the multidisciplinary approach to understanding and creating complex systems, where knowledge from psychology can significantly contribute to technological innovations. The development of such a chess-playing supercomputer would involve implementing an algorithm, a step-by-step problem-solving procedure that ensures consistency and accuracy in reaching the desired outcome.