Ch 12 Problem Solving & Creativity

Question 1

Problem

Answer 1

An situation in which there is an obstacle between a present state and a goal state and it is not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle.

Question 2

Gestalt approach

Answer 2

How people represent a problem in their mind
How solving a problem involves a reorganization or restructuring of this representation

Question 3

Representing in the mind

Answer 3

Different strategies of solving problems

Question 4

Restructuring

Answer 4

The process of changing a problem’s representation. According to gestalt psychologist, restructuring is the key mechanism of problem solving.

Question 5

Insight

Answer 5

Sudden realization of a problem’s solution

Question 6

Analytically based problem

Answer 6

Problem that is solved by a process of systematic analysis, often using techniques based on past experience.

Question 7

Fixation

Answer 7

People’s tendency to focus on a specific characteristic of the problem that keeps them from arriving at a solution.

Question 8

Mental set

Answer 8

A preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a persons experience or what has worked in the past.

Question 9

Water jug problem

Answer 9

A problem, first described by luchins, that illustrates how mental set can influence the strategies that people use to solve a problem.

Question 10

Gestalt contribution

Answer 10

That problems solving depends on how problem is represented in the mind of one the enduring contributions of gestalt.

Question 11

Tower of Hanoi problem

Answer 11

A problem involving moving discs from one set of pegs to another. It has been used to illustrate the process involved in means-end analysis

Question 12

Initial state

Answer 12

Problem solving, the conditions at the beginning of a problem

Question 13

Goal state

Answer 13

The condition that occurs when a problem has been solved.

Question 14

Operators

Answer 14

Permissible moves that can be made toward a problems solution

Question 15

Intermediate state

Answer 15

The various conditions that exist along the pathways between the initial and goal state.

Question 16

Problem space

Answer 16

The initial state, goal state, and all the possible intermediate states for a particular problem.

Question 17

Means-ends analysis

Answer 17

Which is the setting of subgoals to reach an outcome. Sometimes it requires a step back, however, looking slightly ahead often results in an efficient solution to a problem.

Question 18

Analogical transfer

Answer 18

The process of connecting between similar problems and applying the solution from problem to another.

Question 19

Analogy

Answer 19

Making a comparison in order to show a similarity between two different things.

Question 20

Analogical problem solving

Answer 20

The use of analogies as an aid to solving problems. Typically, a solution to one problem, the source problem, is presented that is analogous to the solution to another problem, the target problem.

Question 21

Analogical transfer

Answer 21

Transferring experience in solving one problem to the solution of another similar problem.

Question 22

Target problem

Answer 22

A problem to be solved. In Analogical problem solving, solution of this problem can become easier when the problem -solver is exposed to analogous source problem or story.

Question 23

Source problem

Answer 23

A problem or story that is analogous to the target problem and which therefore provides information that can lead to a solution to the target problem.

Question 24

Radiation problem

Answer 24

A problem posed by Duncker that involves finding a way to destroy a tumor by radiation without damaging other organs in the body. This problem has been widely used to study the role of analogy in problem solving.

Question 25

Analogies exposure

Answer 25

Even when exposed to analogous problem m, most people will not connect between source problem.

Question 26

Analogical problem solving

Answer 26

Noticing that there are analogous relationships Mapping the correspondence between the source problem and target problem **applying** the mapping to generate a parallel solution to the target problem

Question 27

Analogical encoding

Answer 27

A technique in which people compare two problems that illustrate a principle. This technique is designed to help people discover similar structural features of cases or problems.

Question 28

Trade-off strategy

Answer 28

A negotiating strategy in which one person says to another, “I’ll give you A, if you’ll give me B.”

Question 29

Contingency strategy

Answer 29

A negotiating strategy in which a person gets what he or she wants if something else happens.

Question 30

Analogical paradox

Answer 30

People find it difficult to apply analogies in laboratory settings, but routinely use them in real-world settings.

Question 31

Im vivo problem-solving research

Answer 31

Observing people to determine how they solve problems in real-world situations. This technique has been used to study the use of analogy in a number of different settings.

Question 32

Experts

Answer 32

Person who, by devoting a large amount of time to learning about a field and practicing and applying learning, has become acknowledged as being extremely skilled or knowledgable in that field.

Question 33

Expert organization

Answer 33

Have more knowledge about a certain field Experts organized based on principles Experts are slow at first but later it they exceed at problem solving

Question 34

Divergent thinking

Answer 34

Thinking that is open-ended, involving a large number of potential solutions.

Question 35

Creating problem solving

Answer 35

Involves a lengthy period of trial and error development to turn the idea into a useful device.

Question 36

Group brainstorming

Answer 36

When people in a problem-solving group are encouraged to express whatever ideas come to mind, without censorship.

Question 37

Creative cognition

Answer 37

A technique developed by Finke to train people to think creatively.

Question 38

Preinventive forms

Answer 38

Objects created in Finke’s “creative cognition” experiment that precede the creation of a finished creative product. Sled, lawn lounger

Question 39

Nine dot problem

Answer 39

A problem involving nine dots, arranged in a square pattern, in which the task is to draw four straight lines that pass through all nine dots without lifting the pen

Question 40

Transcranial direct current stimulation

Answer 40

A procedure for stimulating the brain in which two electrodes, which are connected to a battery-powered device that delivers direct current, are placed on a persons head.

Question 41

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 41

An electrical response recorded from the next scalp using disc electrodes.

Question 42

Compound remote associate problems

Answer 42

A problem in which three words are presented, and task is to determine one word that when combined with each of these words form a new record phrase.

Question 43

Incubation

Answer 43

The phenomenon of getting ideas after taking a “time-out” from working on a problem.

Question 44

Alternate uses task

Answer 44

A task used to asses creativity, in which the person’s task is to think unusual uses for an object. Also called the unusual uses task.

Question 45

Executive control network

Answer 45

A brain network that is involved in directing attention as a person is carrying out tasks.

Question 46

Volitional daydreaming

Answer 46

The act of consciously choosing to disengage from external tasks in order to pursue an internal stream of thought that might have positive outcomes.

Question 47

Mindfulness

Answer 47

Paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and no judgementally, to the unfolding of experience moment ent to moment.

Question 48

Meditation

Answer 48

A number of different practices for controlling the mind. See focused attention (FA) Meditation; open monitoring meditation.

Question 49

Open monitoring (OM) meditation

Answer 49

A type of meditation that involves paying attention to whatever comes into the mind, and to follow this though until something els comes along.