Problem Solving

Question 1

Analogical problem solving

Answer 1

Using a solution to a similar problem can aid solution to new problem

Question 2

Analogical transfer

Answer 2

transfer from one source problem to another target) problem

Mutilated Checkerboard Problem

Question 3

Duncker’s radiation problem

Answer 3

Person has cancer/tumor
Radiation can destroy it, but this will also kill healthy tissue
So, how do we cure the patient?

Solution: use low-intensity radiation beams at different angles and make them converge where you want them to

Question 4

Gick and Holyoak– used radiation problem

Answer 4

Two groups: radiation problem only vs. reading analogous problem (“fortress story”) first
When told to remember fortress story: 75% solved

Question 5

G&H proposed three steps in successful analogical transfer

Answer 5

Noticing relationship
Mapping correspondence between source and target
Applying mapping

Question 6

what might facilitate noticing/mapping?

Answer 6

participants often focus on surface features (specific aspects of particular problem)

Best transfer will occur if underlying structural features are used

Question 7

Holyoak and Koh

Answer 7

Invented “lightbulb” problem
Varied surface and source similarity to radiation problem (now used as source problem)
Result: greater surface or structural similarity improved target solution

Question 8

Gentner and Goldin-Meadow

Answer 8

People have difficulty noticing structural similarities

Analogical encoding training: training to improve analogical transfer to problems with similar structural features

Question 9

How experts solve problems

Answer 9

Better at noticing structural similarities
Solve problems faster and more accurately than beginners
Spend more time analyzing problems (trying to figure out structure)

BUT experts can also be more rigid

Question 10

Gestalt problem-solving framework

Answer 10

how people represent a problem in their mind, and

how solving a problem involves a reorganization or restructuring of this representation

Question 11

Insight

Answer 11

“Reorganization of a person’s mental representation” corresponds to restructuring

“sudden comprehension” corresponds to the Gestalt emphasis on suddenly realizing the problem’s solution

Question 12

Metcalfe and Wiebe

Answer 12

distinguish between insight problems and noninsight problems

insight = not able to distinguish when you’re close to the answer

noninsight = more likely to know how close you are to solving problem because of methodical process

Question 13

functional fixedness

Answer 13

focusing only on familiar functions or uses of an object

Question 14

Luchins water jug problem

Answer 14

figure out on paper how to obtain a required volume of water, given three empty jars for measures

mental set can influence problem solving both because of preconceptions about the functions of an object (candle and two-string problems) and because of preconceptions about the way to solve a problem (water jug problem)

Question 15

Mental set

Answer 15

A preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person’s experience or what has worked in the past.

Question 16

means-end analysis

Answer 16

A problem-solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the initial and goal states.
achieved by creating subgoals, intermediate states that are closer to the goal.