problem 7 - problem solving & creativity Flashcards
what is an algorithm?
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
what is exhaustive search?
an example of an algorithm method where you try out all possible answers using a specified system
what is a heuristic strategy?
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
what is the analogy approach to problem solving?
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
what are problem isomorphs?
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
surface features vs structural features
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
what are steps for analogies to succeed as problem-solving techniques?
- 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 - Mapping: the PS must be able to map the key elements of the 2 problems
- Schema development: the PS must arrive at a general schema underlying the problems that will allow for the solution of the target problem
what is kinesthetic information?
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
what is enactment? (in problem solving)
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
what is the means-ends heuristic in problem solving?
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
what is the hill-climbing heuristic in problem solving?
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
what is the think-aloud method?
p’s instructed to report their thoughts as they work on the problem but must not try to interpret or analyse these thoughts
problem solving & the dual systems model
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
what are ill-structured problems (ISP)?
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
what is insight?
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
what are insight solutions?
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.
early gestaltist views of insight
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
productive vs reproductive thinking
Productive thinking = involves insights that go beyond the bounds of existing associations
Reproductive thinking = based on existing associations involving what is already known
neo-gestaltist view of insight
Insightful problem solving can be distinguished from non-insightful in 2 ways:
- 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 - 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
what is a mental set?
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
what is entrenchment?
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
what is functional fixedness (fixed mental sets)?
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
what is transfer (of knowledge)?
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
transfer of analogies
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
