Chapter 12 Problem solving

Question 1

well-defined problems

Answer 1

problems in which the initial state, goal, and methods available for solving them are clearly laid out

Question 2

ill-defined problems

Answer 2

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

Question 3

knowledg-rich problems

Answer 3

problems that can only be solved through the use of considerable amounts of prior knowledge

Question 4

knowledge-based problems

Answer 4

problems that can be solved without the use of much prior knowledge, with most of the necessary info being provided by the problem statement

Question 5

trial-and-error learning

Answer 5

a type of learning in which the solution is reached by producing fairly random responses rather than by a process of thought

Question 6

reproductive thinking

Answer 6

re-use of previous knowledge to solve a current problem

Question 7

productive thinking

Answer 7

solving a problem by developing an understanding of the problem´s underlying structure

Question 8

insight

Answer 8

the experience of suddenly realising how to solve a problem

Question 9

Einstellung

Answer 9

mental set, in which people use a family strategy even where there is a simpler alternative or the problem cannot be solved using it

Question 10

problem space

Answer 10

an abstract description of all the possible states that can occur in a problem situaiton

Question 11

heuristics

Answer 11

rules of thumb that are cognitively undemanding and often produce approximately accurate answers

Question 12

means-ends analysis

Answer 12

a heuristic method for solving problems based on creating a subgoal to reduce the difference between the current state

Question 13

hill-climbing

Answer 13

a heuristic involving changing the present state of a problem into one apparently closer to the goal

Question 14

progressive monitoring

Answer 14

a heuristic used in problem solving in which insufficiently rapid progress towards solution leads to the adoption of a different strategy

Question 15

positive transfer

Answer 15

past experience of solving one problem makes it easier to solve a similar current problem

Question 16

negative transfer

Answer 16

past experience in solving one problem disrupts the ability to solve a similar current problem

Question 17

far transfer

Answer 17

beneficial effects of previous problem solving on current problem solving in a dissimilar context

Question 18

metacognition

Answer 18

an individual´s beliefs and knowledge about his/her own cognitive processes and strategies

Question 19

skill aquisition

Answer 19

developing abilities though practice so as to increase the probability of goal achievement

Question 20

chunk

Answer 20

a stored unit formed from integrating smaller pieces of info

Question 21

template

Answer 21

as applied to chess, an abstract schematic structure consisting of mixture of fixed and variable info about chess pieces

Question 22

routine expertise

Answer 22

using acquired knowledge to solve familiar problems efficiently

Question 23

adaptive expertise

Answer 23

using acquired knowledge to develop strategies for dealing with novel problems

Question 24

deliberate practice

Answer 24

this form of practice involves the learner being provided with informative feedback and having the opportunity to correct his/her errors

Question 25

long-term working memory

Answer 25

this is used by experts to store relevant info in long-term memory and to access it through retrieval cues in working memory

Question 26

idiots savants

Answer 26

individuals having limited outstanding expertise in spite of being mentally retarded

Question 27

analogical problem solving

Answer 27

in which the solver uses similarities between the current problem and one or more problems in the past