Post-Midterm material Flashcards
Problem solving
A multi-step process to shift one’s current problem state to goal state
Well-defined problems
Problems that have unambiguous requirements, all of the information required for solving the problem is present
Goal directedness
Problems with a defined goal state and set task constraints such that there are clear steps
Ill-defined problems
Problems where the goal or the way to overcome the problem are ambiguous, often require additional information and are situational
Cognitive load of ill-defined problems
Solving ill-defined problems carries a greater “cognitive load.” There is a higher activation of the right lateral PFC when one tries to solve ill-defined anagrams
Moravec’s Paradox
AI can solve well-defined problems well, but has trouble solving ill-defined ones
A problem space
Representation that includes initial goals and states, intermediate paths and operators, and task constraints
Brute force approach
Approach that involves going through all of the possible solutions until the right one is found, it is guaranteed to solve a problem at hand, but it is also inefficient
Combinational explosion
Computing too many alternatives may lead to an overload
Heuristics (in problem solving)
Strategies to select moves in a problem space, helps alleviate combinational explosion
Hill climbing strategy
Approach that involves selecting the operation that brings you closer to the goal without examining the whole problem space. May lead to a local maxima (subgoal) being mistaken for the final goal
Downside of hill climbing strat
Does not always work because problems often require one to move from the goal to solve it
Means end strategy
Heuristic. Involves forward and backward movements and constant evaluation of the difference between current and goal states. Consists of identifying sub-problems to complete the goal
Experts are _______ with certain information hence why they look at the problem in a more ______ way
Familiar, holistic
Analogical problem solving
Involves making comparisons between two situations and applying solutions from one situation to the other. Very helpful for ill-defined problems.
The einstellung effect
The bias to use familiar methods to solve a problem, can result in rigid thinking and blocks in problem solving
Functional fixedness
Inability to see beyond the most common way of using an object
What can lead to functional fixedness
Using an object in a certain way too often
Mental fixedness
Responding with previously learned rule sequences even when they are inappropriate or less productive
Mental sets
A solution that may be applied to multiple problems, will be preferred over other solutions that may be easier and more efficient. -> Tendency to use solutions that have worked in the past.
You restructured a problem in a complete new way and it led to a sudden solution. This is an example of ____
An insight
Gestalt switches
Perceive the whole rather than the sum of the parts.
Four features of insight
Suddenness
Ease
Positiveness
Confidence
Mental impasse
Being stuck in a solution path. Insight often results from an impasse