CHP. 13 - Problem Solving & Creativity

Question 1

4-C model of creativity

Answer 1

• mini c: interpretive
• little c: everyday
• pro c: expert
• big c: eminent

Question 2

Hill-climbing strategy

Answer 2

at each steo in soving a problem, you choose the option that moves you in the direction of your goal

ex. driving example (keep north even tho you’ll overshoot destination)

limited use: many problems require briefly moving away from goal

Question 3

Means-end analysis

Answer 3

attempts to solve a larger problem/goal by breaking it down into smaller sub-problems/goals

ex. “What means do I have to make my current state more like my goal sta

Big goal at end -> what tiny steps I need to take to achieve it

Question 4

Problem solving via analogy

Think of examples

Answer 4

ex. tumor problem & fortress problem

Question 5

“Relational mindset”

Think of effects

Answer 5

• useful during initial learning
• no benefits if its induced later

Question 6

Experts vs. novices

Answer 6

experts are more likely to use analogies
* novices tend to think about problems in terms of their superficial structures
* Experts think about deep structure

ex. neuron drawings (experts vs. undergrads)

more detail (undergrad) vs. less (expert)

Question 7

Setting subgoals

Answer 7

problems can be broken down into subproblems
* experts are more likely to do this than novices
* experts also know more about their domains of expertise & have already-established routines

ex. chess board (experts focus on less pieces compared to novices)

Question 8

Ill-defined problem

Answer 8

the goal state & the available operators for reaching the goal aren’t clearly specified
* best solved by creating well-defined subgoals and adding restraints

ex. planning a vacation and having a “good time” -> HOW?

Question 9

Functional fixedness

Answer 9

tendency to be rigid in thinking about an object’s function
* adding contraints that aren’t there

ex. candle/matchbox task

Question 10

Problem-solving set

Answer 10

collection of beliefs & assumptions a person makes about a problem

Question 11

Einstellung

Answer 11

problem solver’s beliefs, habits, & preferred strategies

German for “attitude”

Question 12

“Thinking outside the box”

Answer 12

problem-solving sets narrow your options for approaching the problem
* we want a well-defined problem w/o squashing all creativity

Question 13

Stages to problem-solving process

Answer 13

1. preparation
2. Incubation
3. Illumination
4. Verification

Question 14

Forward flow

Answer 14

how much one’s current thinking breaks away from past thoughts

Question 15

Flow experience

Answer 15

most productive in these states

ex. reading has a clear sense of progress - scrolling doesn’t

Flow state from Psych of Creativity

Question 16

Alternative uses task

Answer 16

challenges participants to envision novel uses for everyday items, pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking