Chapter 8 - Problem Solving

Question 1

what is a problem

Answer 1

situation with current state, goal state and an obstacle in between

Question 2

representation (gestalt approach)

Answer 2

how a problem is represented in the mind

• most problems have multiple possible representations
• critical to determining how easy it is to solve

Question 3

restructuring (gestalt approach)

Answer 3

• changing/reorganzing a problem’s representation

- finding a better representation aids problem solving

Question 4

insight (gestalt approach)

Answer 4

• sudden realization of a problem’s solution

- often occurs due to restructuring

Question 5

fixation (gestalt approach)

Answer 5

tendency to focus on a specific characteristic of a problem that blocks arrival at a solution

Question 6

functional fixedness

mental set

Answer 6

restricting use of an object to its familiar functions

-a preconceived notion of how to approach a problem based on past experiences with the problem

Question 7

analogical problem solving

Answer 7

using a solution to a similar problem to guide solution to a new problem

Question 8

surface features
structural features
(elements of problems)

Answer 8

• specific features of a given problem

- underlying principles and relationships that determine a solution

Question 9

state
initial state
goal state
operators
problem/state space

Answer 9

• particular set of circumstances that can occur
• starting circumstances
• desired final circumstances
• actions that move problem from one state to another
• all possible states of the problem

Question 10

divergent thinking

practical creativity

Answer 10

open-ended, with a large number of potential solutions

-anything made by people thats in some way novel and has potential value/utility

Question 11

top-down inhibition

anterior temporal lobe

Answer 11

maintains focus by filtering out potentially irrelevant stimuli/info/actions
-involved in top-down inhibition of irrelevant concepts

Question 12

key steps to analogy and problem solving

Answer 12

noticing - relationship between source and target
mapping - correspondence between source and target
applying - mapping to generate target solution