chapter twelve

Question 1

problems

Answer 1

• occur when there is an obstacle between the present state and the goal state
• challenging since the solution is not immediately obvious

Question 2

gestalt approach to problem solving

Answer 2

the likelihood of solving a problem is influenced by how the problem is represented in the mind

Question 3

restructuring

Answer 3

changing how the problem is represented

Question 4

insight

Answer 4

• the sudden realization of a problem’s solution

Question 5

insight problem

Answer 5

problem solved suddenly

Question 6

noninsight problem

Answer 6

problem is solved gradually

Question 7

functional fixedness

Answer 7

• continuing to think of an object’s use only in its intended way
• i.e. duncker’s candle and matchbox as a stand problem

Question 8

mental set

Answer 8

• a predetermined idea about how to approach a problem based on one’s experience
• can be an obstacle to problem solving

Question 9

newell and simon

Answer 9

proposes that problem solving involves moving through a problem space

Question 10

problem space

Answer 10

• initial state
• intermediate state
• goal state

Question 11

initial state

Answer 11

conditions at the start of a problem

Question 12

intermediate state

Answer 12

conditions after an action is made toward the solution

Question 13

goal state

Answer 13

the solution

Question 14

operators

Answer 14

actions governed by rules that move the problem from one state to another

Question 15

means-end analysis

Answer 15

strategy of eliminating differences between the initial state and goal state via subgoals

Question 16

subgoals

Answer 16

intermediate states that get you closer to the goal

Question 17

think-aloud protocol

Answer 17

procedure in which one verbalized what they are thinking as they are solving a problem

Question 18

analogical problem-solving steps

Answer 18

• analogical encoding in which two problems are compared for similarities
• if a relation is noticed, one must map the corresponding parts of the target and source problem
• generate a solution that parallels the solution used for the source problem

Question 19

analogical paradox

Answer 19

• people often fail to see the relation between analogous problems in the lab
• however, people often use analogies in real-world settings

Question 20

experts are faster and more successful at problem solving than novices because

Answer 20

• greater knowledge
• the way they organize information
• spend more time analyzing the problem before attempting to solve

Question 21

characteristics of creativity

Answer 21

• divergent thinking
• novel ideas
• useful ideas

Question 22

four-stage process of creativity

Answer 22

• problem generation
• problem formulation
• problem solving
• solution implementation

Question 23

smith, ward and shumacher

Answer 23

• people asked to draw a creature that might live on another planet
• one group not given any examples
• other group given pictures of possible examples
• results: group who was given examples drew similar examples

Question 24

creative cognition (finke)

Answer 24

• given the parts
• not informed of the category
• asked to create the object (preinventive forms)
• provided with a category and asked to interpret their object

Question 25

creativity and the brain

Answer 25

• deactivation of the left anterior temporal lobe facilitated with thinking outside of the box
• EEG recordings revealed increased activity in frontal lobe before insight solution
• EEG recordings revealed increased activity in occipital lobe before noninsight solution

Question 26

incubation

Answer 26

getting ideas after taking some time away from working on a problem`

Question 27

default mode network and creativity

Answer 27

• when the default mode network (DMN) is highly active, the executive control network (ECN) is not and vice versa
• exception: both are highly active during evaluating ideas