problem 7 - problem solving & creativity

Question 1

what is an algorithm?

Answer 1

A method that will always produce a solution to the problem, although the process can sometimes be inefficient

Are often inefficient & unsophisticated → more sophisticated methods reduce the possibilities that must be explored to find a solution

Question 2

what is exhaustive search?

Answer 2

an example of an algorithm method where you try out all possible answers using a specified system

Question 3

what is a heuristic strategy?

Answer 3

If you use this to solve a problem, you would ignore some alternatives & explore only those alternatives that seem especially likely to produce a solution

• Do not guarantee a correct solution
• Process 1thinking

Question 4

what is the analogy approach to problem solving?

Answer 4

Employing a solution to a similar, earlier problem to help you solve a new problem
- Is one of the most powerful heuristics
- eg. for your new report you may use the same strategies that were helpful when you wrote a previous paper

Question 5

what are problem isomorphs?

Answer 5

A set of problems that have the same underlying structures & solutions, but different specific details

People often fail to see the analogy between a problem they have solved & a new problem isomorph that has similar structural features

Question 6

surface features vs structural features

Answer 6

Surface features = the specific elements of the problem → if 2 problems have similar surface features, parts of the problem look similar

Structural features = the underlying relationships among the surface features of the 2 problems

• Tend to focus more on surface features
• Structural similarity is often not enough to cue your memory regarding previous problems → the reminder must be more obvious

Question 7

what are steps for analogies to succeed as problem-solving techniques?

Answer 7

1. Noticing: the PS must notice that a relationship exists between the 2 problems in question
   - This stage causes most failures: failure of memory → the current problem fails to trigger the memory of other problems that may be helpful
2. Mapping: the PS must be able to map the key elements of the 2 problems
3. Schema development: the PS must arrive at a general schema underlying the problems that will allow for the solution of the target problem

Question 8

what is kinesthetic information?

Answer 8

Info that arises from body movement

Speculated that this info could play a key role in encoding the structural features of a problem, setting the stage for later analogical retrieval

Question 9

what is enactment? (in problem solving)

Answer 9

Setting the problem in scene or performing it in practice

Catrombone, Craig & Nersessian (2006):
P’s in enactment condition → much more likely to solve the problem in the second phase when no explicit direction was given to use the initial story
- Non Enacting participants were not likely to come up with the solution without being explicitly told to use the initial story

Question 10

what is the means-ends heuristic in problem solving?

Answer 10

First, you divide the prob into several diff subproblems
Then you try to reduce the difference between the initial state & the goal state for each of the subproblems

• Requires you to identify the ‘ends’ (final result) that you want & then figure out the ‘means’ (method) that you’ll use
• Is one of the most effective & flexible problem-solving strategies

Question 11

what is the hill-climbing heuristic in problem solving?

Answer 11

The alternative that seems to lead most directly to the goal will be chosen consistently
- Useful when one does not have enough info about the alternative, as one can only see the immediate next step

Problem:
- Chooses ST solutions > LT solutions
- Consistently choose the alternative that seems to lead most directly to the goal = may fail to choose an indirect alternative that may have grater LT benefits

Question 12

what is the think-aloud method?

Answer 12

p’s instructed to report their thoughts as they work on the problem but must not try to interpret or analyse these thoughts

Question 13

problem solving & the dual systems model

Answer 13

Heuristics (fast and efficient) are akin to System 1 processes (automatic and unconscious)

Algorithms (slow and inefficient, yet effective) are akin to System 2 processes (analytic and conscious)

However both include system 1 & system 2 processing - both forms of processing are useful depending on situation

Question 14

what are ill-structured problems (ISP)?

Answer 14

Do not have well-defined problem spaces → there are no clear, readily available paths to solution
- difficulty constructing appropriate mental representations for modelling these problems & their solutions

Domain knowledge & justification skills are imp for solving poorly structured problems
- Justification skills: imp bcuz ISP can be represented in diff ways & often have alternative solutions = PS need to choose & justify their selection of a certain solution

Question 15

what is insight?

Answer 15

A distinctive & sometimes seemingly sudden understanding of a problem or of a strategy that aids in solving the problem

Often involves reconceptualizing a problem or a strategy in a new way + detecting & combining relevant old & new info to gain a novel view of the problem

Question 16

what are insight solutions?

Answer 16

Occurs when a solution to a problem presents itself quickly and without warning

Solutions via insight have been proven to be more accurate than non-insight solutions.

Question 17

early gestaltist views of insight

Answer 17

Emphasised the imp of the whole as more than a collection of parts → insight problems require PS to perceive the prob as a whole

You need to break away from your existing associations (productive thinking)

productive vs reproductive thinking

Question 18

productive vs reproductive thinking

Answer 18

Productive thinking = involves insights that go beyond the bounds of existing associations

Reproductive thinking = based on existing associations involving what is already known

Question 19

neo-gestaltist view of insight

Answer 19

Insightful problem solving can be distinguished from non-insightful in 2 ways:

1. estimating success
   - Given routine problems to solve → very accurate in predicting their own success
   - Given insight problems → show poor ability to predict their own success
   - Successful problem solvers were pessimistic about their problem solving & vice-versa
2. feelings of warmth:
   - Increased feelings of warmth when they got closer to reaching a correct solution for a routine problem
   - But showed no such increase for insight problems UNTIL moments before abruptly realising the correct solution

Question 20

what is a mental set?

Answer 20

a frame of mind involving an existing model for representing a problem, a problem context, or a procedure for problem solving
→ can hinder problem solving

Question 21

what is entrenchment?

Answer 21

Have an entrenched mental set = fixate on a strategy that normally works well in solving many problems but doesn’t work in solving current problem

Can interfere w seeing things in a new & simpler way

E.g. water jar problems: ppl establish a mental set during the first few problems & fail to notice easier solution later

Question 22

what is functional fixedness (fixed mental sets)?

Answer 22

The inability to realise that something known to have a particular use may also be used for other functions

Prevents us from solving new problems by using old tools in novel ways

Question 23

what is transfer (of knowledge)?

Answer 23

Any carryover of knowledge or skills from one problem situation to another

Negative transfer = when solving an earlier problem makes it harder to solve a later one

Positive transfer = when the solution of an earlier problem makes it easier to solve a new problem

Question 24

transfer of analogies

Answer 24

Ppl have trouble noticing analogies unless they are explicitly told to look for them

Sometimes don’t recognise surface similarities between 2 probs or are fooled by surface similarities into believing 2 diff kinds of problems are the same

Question 25

what is transparency?

Answer 25

People see analogies where they do not exists bcuz of similarity of content

Leads to neg transfer

Question 26

what is incubation?

Answer 26

Putting the problem aside for a while w/o consciously thinking about it → one way to minimise neg transfer

Should not consciously think about the problem, however problem is processed unconsciously

Question 27

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - dual process model

Answer 27

Dual-process model states that there are 2 systems:
System 1: contains our dominant responses, suppressed with inhibitory control

System 2: when dominant responses are suppressed, more analytical responses & creativity emerge

Question 28

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - experiment 1 conditions

Answer 28

Inhibition dual-task condition
- Completed egg task with incongruent version of stroop test

Control dual-task condition
- Completed egg task with congruent version of stroop test

Single-task condition – P’s performed the creative task w/o a secondary task load

Question 29

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - experiment 1 method

Answer 29

• All p’s performed a creative task: given 5 mins to propose as many solutions to a problem relating dropping an egg and making sure it doesnt break
• Responses recorded throughout the task

Answer evaluated based on 3 criteria:
- Fluidity: the ability to generate many solutions
- Flexibility: the ability to generate many categories of solutions
- Expansivity: the ability to provide solutions outside of the fixation effect

Question 30

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - experiment 1 results

Answer 30

• Inhibitory dual-task reduced fluidity & expansion + reduced creative abilities
• No significant differences in flexibility

supports hypothesis that inhibitory control reduces creativity (opposite of what the dual process model says)

Question 31

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - experiment 2 conditions & method

Answer 31

Conditions:
- Demanding WM condition (complex dot patterns) with 2 tasks
- Undemanding WM condition (easy dot patterns) with 2 tasks
- A one-task condition

Method:
Dual task costs examined under a secondary working memory task, namely participants had to reproduce patterns of point locations

Question 32

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - experiment 2 results

Answer 32

WM load had no significant effect on generating creative solutions in terms of fluency, expansion & flexibility.= we can conclude that other EFs do not impact creativity

Question 33

Borst et al (inhibitory control study) - conclusion

Answer 33

Main findings:
- P’s ability to generate creative ideas decreased under inhibitory control load
- WM load had no significant effect on generating creative ideas

• Results suggest that not all executive functions are involved in creative thinking
• Inhibitory control is a core process of generating creative idea