problem solving

Question 1

Bourne’s theory of problem solving (1973)

Answer 1

1. Define the problem
2. generate possible solutions
3. evaluate possible solutions
4. solve the problem

Question 2

Bourne’s theory define the problem

Answer 2

weeds out unimportant information

Question 3

Bourne’s theory generate possible solutions

Answer 3

retrieving information from past experiences/group experiences

Question 4

Bourne’s theory evaluate possible solutions

Answer 4

assesses achievability and possibilities- looking at the pros and cons

Question 5

what are the 2 types of problems?

Answer 5

Adversary and non-adversary

Question 6

adversary problems

Answer 6

this is where there is competition for success

Question 7

non-adversary problems

Answer 7

where there is no competition (so its only a personal challenge)

Question 8

Routine problems

Answer 8

a routine problem is one you have been confronted with before

Question 9

Thorndike (1874-1949) - Behaviourist

Answer 9

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

Question 10

operant conditioning

Answer 10

learning through reinforcement

Question 11

Gestaltists

Answer 11

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

Question 12

kohler (gestaltist) 1920’s

Answer 12

cognitive learning theory

problem solving is exploratory, purposive and creative

described as reorganization of your perception and is dependent on cognitive intelligence

Question 13

information processing

Answer 13

involves analysing cognitive processes as a series of separate stages to solve a problem.

Question 14

Algorithms are used to generate a solution

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Heuristics- educated guess

Answer 15

tend to be informal, intuitive, speculative strategies that sometimes lead to an effective solution

Question 16

strategies to solve problems

Answer 16

mean-end analysis
working forward
working backward
generate and test

Question 17

means-ends analysis

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

working forward

Answer 18

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

Question 19

working backward

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

generate and test

Answer 20

a list of alternative ways of action is generated. Whether the course of action will work or not is then noticed

Question 21

Barriers to problem solving

Answer 21

Mental set

functional fixedness

confirmation bias

Question 22

mental set barrier

Answer 22

this occurs when prior experiences in solving problems lead to an inability to solve future problems

Question 23

functional fixedness barrier

Answer 23

this occurs when a person is unable to recognise a new use for a familiar object

Question 24

confirmation bias

Answer 24

this is the tendency to only use evidence that fits his or her preconceived ideas

Question 25

algorithm are used to generate a solution

Answer 25

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