Cog 11-15

Question 1

3 approaches to problem solving

Answer 1

Gestalt approach

Problem solving as search

Knowledge and problem solving

Question 2

What is the Gestalt Approach?

Answer 2

Emphasises importance of changes in perspective, prior knowledge and assumptions

Question 3

What is problem solving as search?

Answer 3

Problem solving as a search through a problem space of possibilities; start with situation we want to transform into something new and do so by applying different options we have

Question 4

What are general problem solving methods?

Answer 4

A procedure for performing a search for a solution, but how to find solution may not be clear, therefore use heuristic strategies

Question 5

What is functional fixity?

Answer 5

We develop mental sets: tend to see things in a certain way, use certain solutions

Question 6

What is means-end analysis?

Answer 6

Compare the current state to goal state and identifying differences. Set sub goals in order to reach main goal

E.g. getting a plane to brisbane

Question 7

What are insight problems?

Answer 7

They require a change in representation in order to solve

Question 8

Define transfer

Answer 8

The application of old knowledge to a new problem

Question 9

Define negative transfer

Answer 9

Transfer using functional fixedness and mental set

Question 10

Define positive transfer

Answer 10

Transfer using prior knowledge to help you solve a problem

Question 11

Define analogies

Answer 11

Relationships between two similar situations, problems or concepts

Question 12

What age groups discount the future more?

Answer 12

Kids (12 years) discount more than young adults (20 yrs) and then older (70 years)

Question 13

Define expected utility hypothesis

Answer 13

The utility of an agent facing uncertainty is calculated by considering utility in each possible state and constructing a weighted average, where the weights are the agent’s estimate of the probability of each state

Question 14

Problems with the expected utility theory

Answer 14

Probabilities and utilities may be subjective, based on our own experience; often doesn’t fit to empirical data

Question 15

Define base-rate neglect

Answer 15

Sometimes people ignore useful information, even if it is explicit

Question 16

Define representativeness heuristics

Answer 16

People use a represent heuristics: if something or someone appears to fit a category, you will use what you know about that category to make judgements

Question 17

Define prospect theory

Answer 17

A behavioural economic theory that describes the way people choose between probabilistic alternatives that involve risk, where the probabilities of outcomes are known.

Question 18

What did Kahneman, Knetsch & Thaler say about sellers vs choosers?

Answer 18

Sellers are given decorated mugs to keep and asked how much they are willing to sell it for. Choosers are asked how much money they would find as attractive as the mug.

Sellers ‘lose’ their mug, choosers ‘gain’ a mug

Median prices: sellers $7.12 and choosers $3.12 - place higher value on what’s mine