Chapter 11 - Problem Solving and Creativity

Question 1

problem solving

Answer 1

processes needed to reach a goal or solution

Question 2

3 features of a problem

Answer 2

initial state

goal state

obstacles

Question 3

understanding relating to prob solving

Answer 3

organized mental representation of the prob based on info given and past experience (top down adn bottom up)

Question 4

attention

Answer 4

important because competing thoughts can produce divided attention

Question 5

need to decide which info

Answer 5

the most relevant info to the problem’s solution

Question 6

methods of representing problems

Answer 6

symbols (variables etc)

matrices (how things are related to each other)

diagrams (drawing/chart)

visual images (mind’s eye)

Question 7

situated cognition approach

Answer 7

tied to the context in which we learned to solve that problem - emphasis can be on ecological validity

Question 8

traditional cognitive approach

Answer 8

processes take place in the person’s head / thinking

Question 9

embodied cognition as it relates to prob solving

Answer 9

moving parts of the body to help us solve problems more quickly - embodying the idea

Question 10

algorithm

Answer 10

method that always works

Question 11

heuristic

Answer 11

general rule that is usually correct

Question 12

analogy approach

Answer 12

employ a solution to a similar problem to help you solve the new problem

Question 13

problem isomorphs

Answer 13

set of problems that have the same underlying structures and solutions

Question 14

surface features

Answer 14

specific objects and features with little meaning

Question 15

structural features

Answer 15

core pieces of the issue integral to udnerstanding and solving the problem correctly

Question 16

means end heuristic

Answer 16

identify the end and then figure out means to get there

Question 17

subproblems

Answer 17

divide the problem into subproblems

Question 18

hill climbing heuristic

Answer 18

reach a choice point - choose the alternative that leads toward the goal - but can only see the immediate next step

Question 19

downfall of hill climbing

Answer 19

could miss out an indirect alternative that could be better overall - encourages short term goals being reached rather than long term solutions

Question 20

expertise

Answer 20

exceptional consistent skill and performance on a representative tasks for a particular area

greater knowledge base with experts

accurate and fast

specific memory skills related to the area

use means end heuristic effectively

systematic approach - not ad hoc

judge the difficulty of the problem adequately allocating time together solving the problems

Question 21

mental set

Answer 21

same solution used in previous problems - closed mind - stop thinking how to solve the problems effectively - fixed mindset vs. growth mindset

Question 22

fixed mindset

Answer 22

belief that you possess a certain amount of intelligence and skills - can’t perform better - ceiling

Question 23

growth mindset

Answer 23

belief that you can cultivate intelligence

Question 24

functional fixedness

Answer 24

top down processing is overactive - assigning fixed functions to objects - fail to think of another value for an object other than its usual use

Question 25

gender stereotype

Answer 25

beliefs about a gender’s behaviour

Question 26

stereotype threat

Answer 26

belief that you are a part of a disadvantaged stereotype - produces high arousal interfering with working memory for different tasks

Question 27

suggestion that a group is supposed to do poorly or usually does poorly

Answer 27

suppressing the thought that they are going to perform poorly and that taxes the working memory

Question 28

insight problem

Answer 28

seems impossible to solve but a solution pops up

Question 29

noninsight problem

Answer 29

solving the problem gradually by using memory, reasoning, skills, strategies

Question 30

creativity requires novel and usefu solutions

Answer 30

differing views - creative answers come from those that are exceptional or ordinary thinking

Question 31

divergent production approach

Answer 31

a way to measure creativity - number of different responses made to test an item - how many words begin with L and N, etc.

Question 32

convergent approach

Answer 32

single response

Question 33

creativity

Answer 33

can occur when we used focused attention (conscious attn) and defocused attention (daydreaming etc.)

Question 34

intrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic motivation

Answer 34

comes from within, vs. external reward