12. problem solving Flashcards
whats a problem space
consistes of variaous states of the problem
Whats a problem state
a representation of the problem in some degree of solution
whats an operator
an action that will transform the probkem state into another problem state
what defines the problem space
what operators are available
what determines the path taken
which opoerator the problem solver chooses
three ways to aquire operators
discovery
direct instruciton
analogy
operator aquisition by analogy
the process by which a problem solver maps the solution from one problem into the solution for another
relies on structural similarities of problem
how do we select oporators
three criteria
- back up avoidance
- difference reduction
- means-ends analysis
define operator seletioon back up avoidance
tendency in problem solving to avoid operators that take one back to a state already visited
attempt to avoid unnecessary duplication of parts in the problem space
how do you apply operator selection difference reduction
tendency to select operators that eliminate a difference between current state and goal state
useful bit not always optimal
how do you fail to apply operator selection by difference reduction
considers only whether the next step is an improvement and not whether larger plan will work
experience difficulty when correct solution involves increasing the difference between current and goal state
means-end analysis fo operator selection
creates a new subgoal to enable an operator to aply
- an operator is not abandoned even it it cannot be applied immediately
identifies biggest difference between current state and goal state and try to eliminate it first
which operator selection tool is used fo rthe tower of hanoi
many apply differnce reduction first but end up using means-end analysis
what is problem representation
how states of a problem are represented has a significant effect
successful problem solving depends on representing in problems in such a way that appropriate operators can apply
how does inappropriate problem representation effect our problem solving ability
prevents us from using proper analogy
choice of examples tend to be guided by superficial similarities
what is functional fixedness
tendency to represent objects as serving conventional problem solving functions thus failing to see that they can serve novel functions
a problem becomes difficult when it requires representing an objects novel function
how does funcitonal fixedness effect our prblem solving ability
increased difficulty from problems due to functional fixedness demonstrates that how to represent a problem has a significant influence on operator selection
what are set effects
biasing of a solution to a problem as a result of past experiences in soling that kidn of problem
often observed when the knowledge relevant to a particular type of problem solution is strengthened
incubation effects…
soemtimes solutions to a particular problem come easier after a period of time in which one has ignored trying to solve the problem
occur when inapropiate strategies are forgotten
insight problems
problems where peopel are not aware that they are close to a solution
poeple often do not recognise what is critical for solving the (insight) problems until they see the final solution
