Chapter 12 Problem solving Flashcards
well-defined problems
problems in which the initial state, goal, and methods available for solving them are clearly laid out
ill-defined problems
problems in which the definition of the problem statement is imprecisely specified; the initial state, goal state, and methods to be used to solve the problem may be unclear
knowledg-rich problems
problems that can only be solved through the use of considerable amounts of prior knowledge
knowledge-based problems
problems that can be solved without the use of much prior knowledge, with most of the necessary info being provided by the problem statement
trial-and-error learning
a type of learning in which the solution is reached by producing fairly random responses rather than by a process of thought
reproductive thinking
re-use of previous knowledge to solve a current problem
productive thinking
solving a problem by developing an understanding of the problem´s underlying structure
insight
the experience of suddenly realising how to solve a problem
Einstellung
mental set, in which people use a family strategy even where there is a simpler alternative or the problem cannot be solved using it
problem space
an abstract description of all the possible states that can occur in a problem situaiton
heuristics
rules of thumb that are cognitively undemanding and often produce approximately accurate answers
means-ends analysis
a heuristic method for solving problems based on creating a subgoal to reduce the difference between the current state
hill-climbing
a heuristic involving changing the present state of a problem into one apparently closer to the goal
progressive monitoring
a heuristic used in problem solving in which insufficiently rapid progress towards solution leads to the adoption of a different strategy
positive transfer
past experience of solving one problem makes it easier to solve a similar current problem
negative transfer
past experience in solving one problem disrupts the ability to solve a similar current problem
far transfer
beneficial effects of previous problem solving on current problem solving in a dissimilar context
metacognition
an individual´s beliefs and knowledge about his/her own cognitive processes and strategies
skill aquisition
developing abilities though practice so as to increase the probability of goal achievement
chunk
a stored unit formed from integrating smaller pieces of info
template
as applied to chess, an abstract schematic structure consisting of mixture of fixed and variable info about chess pieces
routine expertise
using acquired knowledge to solve familiar problems efficiently
adaptive expertise
using acquired knowledge to develop strategies for dealing with novel problems
deliberate practice
this form of practice involves the learner being provided with informative feedback and having the opportunity to correct his/her errors
long-term working memory
this is used by experts to store relevant info in long-term memory and to access it through retrieval cues in working memory
idiots savants
individuals having limited outstanding expertise in spite of being mentally retarded
analogical problem solving
in which the solver uses similarities between the current problem and one or more problems in the past
