problem solving Flashcards
Bourne’s theory of problem solving (1973)
- Define the problem
- generate possible solutions
- evaluate possible solutions
- solve the problem
Bourne’s theory define the problem
weeds out unimportant information
Bourne’s theory generate possible solutions
retrieving information from past experiences/group experiences
Bourne’s theory evaluate possible solutions
assesses achievability and possibilities- looking at the pros and cons
what are the 2 types of problems?
Adversary and non-adversary
adversary problems
this is where there is competition for success
non-adversary problems
where there is no competition (so its only a personal challenge)
Routine problems
a routine problem is one you have been confronted with before
Thorndike (1874-1949) - Behaviourist
stated that problem solving is essentially ‘trial and error’
this refers to stimulus response theories in behaviourism- where learning is a chain of stimulus and response associations e.g. Pavlov’s dogs
operant conditioning
learning through reinforcement
Gestaltists
they impose structure in the problem by understanding how elements of the problem are related to each other
the distinguish between reproductive thinking where past solutions are applied to new problems and Productive thinking - involving the reorganisation and creation of new solutions
based on an immediate impression
kohler (gestaltist) 1920’s
cognitive learning theory
problem solving is exploratory, purposive and creative
described as reorganization of your perception and is dependent on cognitive intelligence
information processing
involves analysing cognitive processes as a series of separate stages to solve a problem.
Algorithms are used to generate a solution
This involves a systematic exploration of every possible solution until the correct one is formed.
these may apply previous experience and learnt rules
this is time consuming and requires perseverance
Heuristics- educated guess
tend to be informal, intuitive, speculative strategies that sometimes lead to an effective solution
strategies to solve problems
mean-end analysis
working forward
working backward
generate and test
means-ends analysis
- analyse the problem by viewing the end (the goal) and then try to decrease the distance between the current position in the problem and the end goal
- the starting point and ending point are known
- as the ends are defined, you need to analyse your means of getting from one point to another
working forward
start at the beginning and try to solve the problem from start to finish .
also known as the ‘hill climbing strategy’
however it is not always effective
working backward
you start from the end point and try and work back to the beginning.
this method is common in medicine, when trying to initially diagnose someone.
generate and test
a list of alternative ways of action is generated. Whether the course of action will work or not is then noticed
Barriers to problem solving
Mental set
functional fixedness
confirmation bias
mental set barrier
this occurs when prior experiences in solving problems lead to an inability to solve future problems
functional fixedness barrier
this occurs when a person is unable to recognise a new use for a familiar object
confirmation bias
this is the tendency to only use evidence that fits his or her preconceived ideas
algorithm are used to generate a solution
this involves a systematic exploration of every possible solution until the correct one is formed
these may apply previous experience and learnt rules
this is time consuming and requires perserverance
