Problem 8: Problem solving Flashcards
What is the analogy approach to problem solving?
You employ a solution to a similar old problem to the solve the new problem
What are problem isomorphs?
problems that are superficially different, but have the same underlying (deep) structure. People usually pay attention to overlapping surface features, instead of deep structural features
What is the means-ends heuristic?
You divide a problem into subproblems, by solving each subproblem you get closer to your goal of solving the big problem. Sometimes you have to take a step back to get there in the end.
What is the hill climbing heuristic? What is a disadvantage of using this heuristic?
You choose the path that seems to lead most directly to your goal. However, sometimes you might not end up on the mountain because you are not looking at whether it is benefiting you in the long term
What is the think aloud method and what is is used for?
The think aloud method entails talking aloud while wishing the different options for a decision, it is used in research so that researchers can measure the steps you undertake when making a choice
What are the 3 steps in the process of making analogies?
- Noticing
- Mapping
- Schema development
What is de dual process view of thinking?
There are two systems:
1. automatic, intuitive, quick and unconscious
2. slow, analytic and conscious
What is de dual process view of thinking?
There are two systems:
1. automatic, intuitive, quick and unconscious
2. slow, analytic and conscious
What did old gestalte psychologists say about insights?
They valued the importance of a whole more than a collection of parts
According to neo gestaltist psychologists, how can routine problem solving be distinguished from insightful problem solving?
2 ways:
1. routine problems –> good ability to predict own success
insightful problem –> bad ability to predict own success
2. routine problem –> warm feelings towards getting closer to solution
insightful problems –> no warm feelings, only when getting the insight
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. It can hinger problem solving
What type of mental set is entrenchment?
problem solvers fixate on a strategy that normally works well in solving many problems, but that does not work well in solving this particular problem
What type of mental set is functional fixedness?
the inability to realise that something known to have a particular use may also be used for something else
What type of mental set is a stereotype?
beliefs that members of a social group tend more or less uniformly to have particular types of characteristics. This leads to overgeneralising and assuming that old patterns will occur in the future
What is positive transfer?
when the solution of an earlier problem aids solving a new problem
