Problem solving Flashcards
Mental set
the typical way of looking at a problem
Functional fixedness
When you fixate on the typical use of an object
The failure to see novel uses
What are operators in a problem
Actions that can change the state of the problem
What is the means-end analysis
The use of sub-goals to reduce the difference between the intiial state and the goal state
What is satisficing
Choosing a goal that is ‘good enough’ instead of searching endlessly for the goal that is optimal. Reducing the search of the problem space because you see something thats closer to the goal state
Who are optimizers
People who end up searching endlessly for the goal state, tend to have worse decision outcomes than satisficers
Analogical reasoning
The mapping of new problems onto previous ones
Analogical reasoning study
Gick and Holyoak, the study about the kings fortress and then hving them apply the same sort of solution to eliminating cancer tumors.
only 10% solved the problem alone, 30 when first showed the kings problem and 70 when told to think about the first problem
Structural features
Underlying principles that govern the solution to the problem
Experts have organized knowledge study
Physics problems showed to experts and students and asked to group the problems,
Studnets organised into similar looking problems, experts grouped problems that involve similar physics principles- based on structural features
Divergent thinking
Open ended thought that produces many alternatives
Smith et al. prior knowledge and creativity study
ppts asked to create new animals
A; ppts showed prior examples of animals other ppts had drawn that shared the same characteristics
B: Ppts had no prior examples
Tested the number of features that matched the examples found that fixation on examples reduced creativity
Which brain network is important for creative processes
The default mode network
Concept of Incubation
Even when not actively focusing on a problem anymore, problems are incubating at a subconscious level
Concept of incubation study
Barid et al.
Ppts did alternative uses task (name as many alternative uses for common objects)
A: Did a hard task during their break (Incubation) period
B: did an easy task during the break
Easy task condition increased AUT scores by 40%
Shows that the DMN contributes to the generation of new ideas
