Problem Solving Flashcards
An obstacle between a present state and a goal, and a situation in which it’s not immediately obvious how to get around the given obstacle, posing a challenge in some way.
problem
Changing a problems representation in the mind/form it takes
restructuring
Involves the sudden realization of a problem’s solution and often requires restructuring the problem.
insight
The triangle problem and chain problem are both ________ approaches to insight.
Gestalt
Gestalt approach in researching insight in which you have to move three dots to get the triangle to point to the bottom of the page. (Brah i feel lowkey stupid what the hell idk how to do this; just kidding, I did it, I JUST had insight. Very nice.)
triangle problem
Gestalt approach in researching insight in which a woman has four pieces of a chain, each piece is made of 3 links, and she wants to make a single closed loop of chain. Opening a link costs 2 cents and closing one costs 3 cents. She only has 15 cents. How does she do it? (Okay but for this one fuck if i know tbh…maybe she gets a job or smth…)
chain problem
(Okay i searched up the answer and damn that makes sense. Open all of the links in one of the chains (6 cents), use those open links to connect the other chains, and then close all the links (9 cents); 6 + 9 = 15)
(Why didn’t I think of that???)
Why couldn’t I solve the chain problem?
I probably had a mental set.
Preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person’s past experiences with the problem or similar examples.
Mental set
In the Gestalt water-jug experiment, one group had to do complex math problems before seeing how to measure desired amount of water with the 3 filled jug sizes. Them doing these complex problems before the water-jug task affected the way they approached the measuring, making this group choose the more complex solution more frequently. All participants in the other group used the simple solution. This just goes to show that doing the complex math problems before led to them developing a __________(2), which was an obstacle to their problem solving process.
mental set
restricting use of an object to it’s familiar functions; having tunnel vision when thinking about ways an object can or should be used (2)
functional fixedness
In a room with a vertical cork-board mounted on the wall, you’re given some candles, matches in a matchbox, and some tacks. The task is to mount a candle on the cork-board so it will burn without dripping wax on the floor. This is known as the ________ (2)
Candle problem
Which 2 problems test functional fixedness and why?
the candle problem
- people too set on using the match/tack box as a container for the matches and tacks that they don’t realize it can be used as a candle holder OR a support that the candle can burn on/collect its wax on
two-string problem
- people see pliers as pliers to grab, but they don’t think of the pliers as a weight that could be used -> functional fixedness
manipulated variable in candle problem (boxes)
empty or not
- empty boxes -> better problem solving
- boxes as containers for the tacks -> functional fixedness
Two strings are hanging from the ceiling at a distance that seems to be too far apart to be grasped by the same person at the same time. There is also a chair and pliers provided. How can someone grasp both of the strings at the same time? This is called the __________ (3).
two-string problem
What is the two-string problem testing and why?
functional fixedness
- people don’t see the pliers as a weight they seem them as pliers so they don’t think of grabbing one string while having the other swing back to them with the pliers as a weight for the swing
The Problem space consists of 3 states:
- Initial state
- Intermediate state
- Goal state
The Tower of Hanoi problem studies the __________ (2) approach to problem solving, and birthed the idea of the __________ (2).
information-processing approach
problem space (initial, intermediate, then goal state)
rules which specify what moves are allowed within a given problem space
operators
Tower of Hanoi operators:
Initial state vs. Intermediate state vs. Goal state of Tower of Hanoi Problem space:
Operators:
- move one disc at a time
- move disc only when no discs are on it (which is logic…lol…like how else)
- larger disk cannot go on top of smaller disc *
Problem space:
- Initial state: all rings on peg 1, biggest at the bottom, smallest at the top
- Intermediate state: rearranging the rings
- Goal state: all rings on peg 3, biggest at the bottom, smallest at the top
type of information-processing approach to problem solving that involves reducing the differences between initial and goal states (3)
means-end analysis
creates intermediates states between the initial and goal states in the means-end analysis
- people solve problems with steps or:
subgoals
Working backwards to solve a problem
- this king is in checkmate on a chessboard, let’s work backwards to figure out how that may have happened
retrograde analysis
type of feature relevant for analogical transfer that refers to the elements of a given problem
surface features
type of feature relevant for analogical transfer that refers to the underlying principles that govern the solution to a problem
structural features
(think underlying -> structural)
process of applying knowledge or solutions from one situation (familiar problem) to another (new, similar situation)
analogical transfer
