Chapter Twelve - Problem Solving & Creativity

Question 1

Alternate Uses Task (AUT)?

Answer 1

A task used to assess creativity, in which the person’s task is to think unusual uses for an object.

Question 2

Analogical Encoding?

Answer 2

A technique in which people compare two problems that illustrate a principle. This technique is designed to help people discover similar structural features of cases or problems.

Question 3

Analogical Paradox?

Answer 3

People find it difficult to apply analogies in laboratory settings, but routinely use them in real-world settings.

Question 4

Analogical Problem Solving?

Answer 4

The use of analogies as an aid to solving problems.

Typically, a solution to one problem, the source problem, is presented that is analogous to the solution to another problem, the target problem.

Question 5

Analogical Transfer?

Answer 5

Transferring experience in solving one problem to the solution of another, similar problem.

Question 6

Analytically Based Problem?

Answer 6

Problem that is solved by a process of systematic analysis, often using techniques based on past experience.

Question 7

Analogy?

Answer 7

Making a comparison in order to show similarity between two different things.

Question 8

Candle Problem?

Answer 8

A problem, first described by Duncker, in which a person is given a number of objects and is given the task of mounting a candle on a wall so it can burn without dripping wax onto the floor. This problem was used to study functional fixedness.

Question 9

Compound Remote-Association Problem?

Answer 9

A problem in which three words are presented, and the task is to determine one word that when combined with each of these words forms a new word or a phrase.

Question 10

Contingency Strategy?

Answer 10

A negotiating strategy in which a person gets what they want if something else happens.

Question 11

Creative Cognition?

Answer 11

A technique developed by Finke to train people to think creatively.

Question 12

Daydreaming?

Answer 12

Thoughts that come from within a person, often unintentionally.

Question 13

Divergent Thinking?

Answer 13

Thinking that is open-ended, involving a large number of potential solutions.

Question 14

EEG?

Answer 14

An electrical response recorded from the scale using disc electrodes.

Question 15

Executive Control Network (ECN)?

Answer 15

A brain network that is involved in directing attention as a person is carrying out tasks.

Question 16

Fixation?

Answer 16

In problem solving, people’s tendency to focus on a specific characteristic of the problem that keeps them from arriving at a solution.

Question 17

Focused Attention (FA) Meditation?

Answer 17

A type of meditation in which the basic procedure is to focus on one thing, like the in and out of your breathe, and when your mind wanders, to bring your attention back to your breathe.

Question 18

Functional Fixedness?

Answer 18

An effect that occurs when the ideas a person has about an object’s function inhibit the person’s ability to use the object for a different function.

Question 19

Goal State?

Answer 19

In problem solving, the condition that occurs when a problem has been solved.

Question 20

Group Brainstorming?

Answer 20

When people in a problem-solving group are encouraged to express whatever ideas come to mind, without censorship.

Question 21

Imagination Network?

Answer 21

Kaufman & Gregoire’s name for the default mode network.

Question 22

In Vivo Problem-solving Research?

Answer 22

Observing people to determine how they solve problems in real-world situations. This technique has been used to study the use of analogy in a number of different settings.

Question 23

Incubation?

Answer 23

The phenomenon of getting ideas after taking a ‘time-out’ from working on a problem.

Question 24

Initial State?

Answer 24

In problem solving, the conditions at the beginning of a problem.

Question 25

Insight?

Answer 25

Sudden realization of a problems solution.

Question 26

Intermediate States?

Answer 26

In problem solving, the various conditions that exist along the pathways between the initial and goal states.

Question 27

Means-end Analysis?

Answer 27

A problem solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the initial and goal states. This is achieved by creating subgoals.

Question 28

Meditation?

Answer 28

A number of different practices for controlling the mind.

Question 29

Mental Set?

Answer 29

A preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person’s experience or what has worked in the past.

Question 30

Mindfulness?

Answer 30

Paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment.

Question 31

Mutilated Checkerboard Problem?

Answer 31

A problem that has been used to study how the statement of a problem influences a person’s ability to reach a solution.

Question 32

Nine-dot Problem?

Answer 32

A problem involving nine dots, arranged in a square pattern, in which the task is to draw four straight lines that pass through all nine dots without lifting the pen from the paper or retracing a line.

Question 33

Open Monitoring (OM) Meditation?

Answer 33

A type of meditation that involves paying attention to whatever comes into the mind, and to follow this thought until something else comes along.

Question 34

Operators?

Answer 34

In problem solving, permissible moves that can be made toward a problem’s solution.

Question 35

Preinventive Forms?

Answer 35

Objects created in Finke’s ‘creative cognition’ experiment that precede the creation of a finished creative product.

Question 36

Problem Space?

Answer 36

The initial state, goal state, and all the possible intermediate states for a particular problem.

Question 37

Problem?

Answer 37

A situation in which there is an obstacle between a present state and a goal state and it is not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle.

Question 38

Radiation Problem?

Answer 38

A problem posed by Duncker that involves finding a way to destroy a tumor by radiation without damaging other organs in the body.

Question 39

Restructuring?

Answer 39

The process in changing a problem’s representation.

Question 40

Source Problem?

Answer 40

A problem or story that is analogous to the target problem and which therefore provides information that can lead to a solution to the target problem.

Question 41

Subgoals?

Answer 41

In the means-end analysis approach to problem solving, intermediate states that move the process of solution closer to the goal.

Question 42

Target Problem?

Answer 42

A problem to be solved.

Question 43

Think-aloud Protocol?

Answer 43

A procedure in which subjects are asked to say out loud what they are thinking while doing a problem.

Question 44

Tower of Hanoi Problem?

Answer 44

A problem involving moving discs from one set of pegs to another.

Question 45

Trade-off Strategy?

Answer 45

A negotiating strategy in which one person says to another:
“I’ll give you A if you’ll get me B”.

Question 46

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation?

Answer 46

A procedure for stimulating the brain in which two electrodes, which are connected to a battery-powered device that delivers direct current, are placed on a person’s head.

Question 47

Two-string Problem?

Answer 47

A problem first described by Maier in which a person is given the task of attaching two strings together that are too far apart to be reached at the same time.

Devises for functional fixedness.

Question 48

Volitational Daydreaming?

Answer 48

The act of consciously choosing to disengage from external tasks in order to pursue an internal stream of thought that might have positive outcomes.

Question 49

Water Jug Problem?

Answer 49

A problem first described by Luchins that illustrates how mental set can influence the strategies that people use to solve a problem.

Question 50

Problem Solving?

Answer 50

Defined by:
(1) Amount of information available
(2) Multifactor influences, such as reasoning under incomplete information.

Question 51

Steps in Problem Solving?

Answer 51

(1) Identify & define the problem
(2) Propose solutions
(3) Evaluate solutions
(4) Select the best solution(s)
(5) Testing solution(s)

Question 52

Algorithms vs Heuristics?

Answer 52

A = systematic procedures [trial & error experiments].
H = simple strategies to reduce possible answers.

Question 53

Deductive vs Inductive Reasoning?

Answer 53

D:
- moves from general to specific conclusions.
- no new information is added; implicit knowledge is made explicit.

I:
- moves from specific to general conclusions.
- allows for new insights, but is less certain.

Question 54

Confirmation Bias?

Answer 54

Favoring information that confirms one’s beliefs.

Question 55

Base-rate Fallacy?

Answer 55

Ignoring statistical base rates in favor of anecdotal information.

Question 56

Working Backwards?

Answer 56

Starting with the goal and identifying prior steps to achieve it.

Ex.) Tower of Hanoi problem.

Question 57

Novices vs Experts in Problem-Solving?

Answer 57

Novice:
- use trial & error or backward reasoning methods.
- rely heavily on working memory, increasing errors.

Expert:
- focus on critical information.
- analyze problems qualitatively at a deeper level.
- have extensive domain-specific knowledge.

Question 58

Fox, goose, grain problem?

Answer 58

Three items, want to cross river, can only take one item in boat across river at a time, BUT:
- can’t leave the fox alone with the goose.
- can’t leave the goose alone with the bag of corn.

is it possible?