Problem Solving Flashcards
What is problem solving?
where the agent (problem solver) is in one state and wants to be in another state
What is bridging the gap?
a consciously guided multi step process
What is analogical problem solving?
using past experiences to assist us in current task
detect and make use of analogies or similarities between current problem and solved problems in past
What are 2 key aspects of problem solving?
- purposeful (goal directed)
- controlled processes (not reliant on automatic processes)
Reproductive versus productive thinking
reproductive = systematic reuse of previous experience
productive = novel problem restructuring
Well-defined problem versus ill-defined problem
well defined = where initial state, goal and methods for solving are clearly laid out
ill-defined = where problem is imprecisely specified
what is an example of a well-defined problem?
chess
knowledge rich versus knowledge lean problems
knowledge rich = requires previous knowledge
knowledge lean = can be solved with little or no prior knowledge
What are problems requiring productive thinking solved using?
insight
What brain area is involved in insight?
the anterior superior temporal gyrus
Black (1946)
mutilated draughtboard problem
2 diagonally opposite corners on chess board are removed
31 dominos where each one has to cover a black and white square
answer is it’s not possible
Ohlsson and Ollinger: Representational change theory
theory used to overcome impasse (a dead end)
need to change the problem representation:
- constraint relaxation
- re-encoding
- elaboration
Knoblich et al (1999)
type A problem (move value to make equation correct)
type B problem (move operator)
ppts initially spent more time fixating on values than operators on both
initial representation = values had to be changed
How can we facilitate insight?
by providing subtle hints
What can problem solving benefit from? (Wallas)
problem solving can benefit from incubation
What is incubation?
when a solution comes to mind after a temporary shift of attention to another domain
(doing something else then coming back to problem and can solve it)
What is functional fixedness?
the inflexible focus on the usual functions of an object in problem solving
Simon and Newell: problem solving strategies
to solve problems, use heuristics
they believe our limited processing capacity forces us to use heuristics
3 main heuristics
According to Simon and Newell, what are the 3 heuristics used to solve problems?
- hill climbing heuristic
- means-end analysis
- meta-reasoning
What is hill climbing heuristic?
changing the present state within a problem into one closer to goal
focus on short term goals
mostly used when problem solver has no clear understanding of problem structure
What is means-ends analysis?
note the diff between current state and goal state
form a subgoal to reduce diff between states
select a mental operator (move) that allows attainment of subgoal
What is meta-reasoning?
progress monitoring (assess rate of progress towards goal)
example = nine dot problem
What is the most important heuristic method?
means-ends analysis
What is a cognitive miser?
someone who uses heuristics because they are reluctant to engage in effortful processing
economical with their time and effort when performing a task
Gould
argued scientists can be so strongly influenced by the theory they already hold that the do not interpret new data objectively
What is the Einstellung (mental set) effect?
occurs when an idea that comes to mind immediately in a familiar context prevents alternative viewpoints being considered
Luchins 91942) study
- ppts solved problems and learnt fixed method to solve it
- ppts given problem that could be solved using usual method but also with a diff, quicker method (called 2 solution problem)
- most used old method and didn’t spot new method
- when presented with final problem (called 1 solution problem) where usual method didn’t work, said it was insoluble
Bilalic (2008): Einstellung effect in experts
- chess experts all found familiar solution
- then looked for a quicker solution
- those who failed to find it were shown a 1 solution problem
- all players found shorter solution in the 1 solution problem
- solution was more discoverable when absence of familiar solution
What method of studying can be used to this type of experiment?
recording eye movements
What does eye movement data demonstrate?
how a pattern of thought, once activated, can prevent other patterns of thought becoming active
