Chapter 12 - Problem Solving & Creativity Flashcards
What is a Problem?
- an obstacle between a present state and a goal
- not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle
- difficult
Gestalt approach
- representing a problem in the mind
- Restructuring: changes the problem’s representation
- Kohler’s “circle” problem
-Restructuring:
changes the problem’s representation
Insight Problem-Solving
- sudden realization of a problem’s solution
- often requires restructuring the problem
-Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987)
-Insight: triangle problem, chain problem
-non-insight: algebra
Warmth judgments every 15 seconds
-insight problems solved suddenly
-no insight problems solved gradually
Non-insight problems (analytically based problems)
Solved by a process of systemic analysis, often using techniques from our own experience
-Functional Fixedness:
restricting use of an object to its familiar functions
- candle problem: seeing boxes as containers inhibited using them as supports
- two string problem: function of pliers gets in the way of seeing them as a weight
-Mental set
- a preconceived notion about how to approach a problem
- based on a person’s past experiences with the problem (or similar problems)
- water-jug problem: given mental set inhibited participants from using simpler solution
Information Processing Approach
-Newell and Simon
- problem Space
- initial state - conditions at the beginning
- intermediate states - conditions at the middle of puzzle or each action creates an intermediate state
- all of which make up the problem space
- goal states -what it should be when complete
- Tower of Hanoi
- operators:
actions taking the problem from one state to another. There are rules that specify which moves are allowed and which are not
-Means-end analysis –
reduce differences between initial and goal states
-sub goals: create intermediate states closer to goal
Importance of how a Problem is Stated
-mutilated-checkerboard problem
- conditions: differed in how much information provided about the squares
- easier to solve when information is provided that points toward the correct representation of the problem
- all boards had the same layout and same solution, but the way the problem was stated, changed how it was solved
-think-aloud protocol
- say aloud what one is thinking
- shift in how one perceives elements of a problem
-Analogical transfer:
the transfer from one problem to another
Analogical problem solving
Using past problems solved in the past, to try and solve a new problem
Target problem
Problem trying to solve
Source problem
Problem that shares similarities and that illustrates how to solve the target problem