Problem Solving

Question 1

Define problem solving

Answer 1

a problem exists when someone lacks the relevant knowledge to produce an immediate solution - it is goal directed

Question 1

What are the 3 approaches we use to solve problems

Answer 1

• insight
• problem solving strategies
• analogical problem solving

Question 2

Define well defined problem

Answer 2

initial state, goal and methods for solving the problem is clearly laid out E.G assembling furniture

Question 3

Define Ill defined problem

Answer 3

initial state, goal and methods for solving problem is unclear E.G get happier

Question 4

Define Knowledge rich problem

Answer 4

needing to have considerable background knowledge to solve problems e.g need to know bus routes in order to use bus

Question 5

Define Knowledge lean problem

Answer 5

dont need prior knowledge to solve problems

Question 6

Define Insight

Answer 6

light bulb moment in figuring our the solution to a problem involving some sort of mental reorganisation

Question 7

Discuss the evidence for the existence of a seperate ‘insight’ process

Answer 7

• Aha experiences are reported more often on insight problems
• but many aha situations may be associated with the wrong answer
• no feelings of getting warmer as realisation is sudden
• not realy reliable if its a seperate process or not

Question 8

What is the Representational Change Theory and what does it say about how insight occurs?

Answer 8

It claims how insight problems cause impasses because they mislead problem solvers into contructing inapropriate inital representations, insight occurs when this initial representation is changed

Question 9

What 3 things facilitates insight

Answer 9

Incubation
Mental set
Functional Fixedness

Question 10

Describe evidence for incubation

Answer 10

incubation = taking time away from unsolved problem

• meta analysis where incubation effects were frequently reported
• more incubation for creative tasks e.g write a short story
• incubation times are longer when preperation period is longer
• INCUBATION FASCILITATES FORGETTING OF MISLEADING INFORMATION

Question 11

Describe evidence for Mental Set

Answer 11

mental set = problem solving is misled by previous experience

• ppts who were trained in more complex problems stuggled in a final easy one, water jar problem.

Question 12

Describe evidence for functional Fixedness

Answer 12

functional fixedness = task was to attach a candle to a wall without letting it drip, ppts didnt know they can use the box to catch drip.

Question 13

According to Newell and Simon, why do we use heuristics to solve problems

Answer 13

-humans have limited capactiy for problem solving because of limited STM

• heuristics = rule of thumb that are simple to use and often produce accurate results (humans use this)

Question 14

Outline 2 heuristics that we use

Answer 14

HILL CLIMBING - making moves to get you closer to a goal e.g trying to climb a mountain by always walking up hill

MEANS ENDS ANALYSIS - more awareness of how to break a problem into sub problems e.g trying to loose 10kg by setting a goal to lose 1 kg a week

Question 15

What is meta reasoning to solve problems

Answer 15

= processes to moniter progress during problem solving and influence the strategies we adopt

e.g if process is slow, change strategy

Question 16

what is meant by planning for solving problems

Answer 16

= used to solve problems and involves pre frontal areas

Question 17

What is Analogical Problem solving

Answer 17

= similarities between problems, especially structural similarities

• superficial similarity = irrelevant details shared between both problems
• structural similarity = causal relations of components are same for both problems

-procedural similarity = turning solution principle into actions that are shared

Question 18

Describe the Gick and Holyoak study to show peoples ability to use analogical problem solving

Answer 18

• 40% solved the radiation problem when the genral and fortress story was presented
• when told the story can help solve the radiation problem, 80% solved it
• HOWEVER the lack of superficial similarity hindered the solution transfer (coz its different topics e.g not both radiation)

Question 19

What helps with analogical problem solving

Answer 19

• good working memory
• noticing similarities and difference in problem structutre
• prompting people to use analogies

Question 20

What brain network is key for problem solving

Answer 20

prefrontal cortex