Problem Solving Flashcards
Problem Solving
Going from a problem to goal state
-A multi-step process that involves 3 stages
Multi-Step Cognitive Process
- Recognizing and representing problem
- Analyzing and solving it
- Assessing the solution’s effectiveness
The Monk Problem
What do problems tell us about the nature of problem solving?
The Problem-Solving Cycle
- Define problem
- Analyze problem
- Identify solutions (strategies)
- Choose solution (best solution)
- Plan of action
- Implement and evaluate (Was it the best strategy to use?)
- You lost your keys while out walking the dog
- Notice where your keys are not; realize you are locked out
- Solutions?
- Retrace your steps
- Carry out solution
- Was the chosen solution effective?
Example of problem-solving cycle
Recursive
Repeat this cycle as many times as necessary to find a solution
-Ensures resolution
Applicable and Adaptable
The output of the cycle should be a solution to a current problem and a version that can generalize to new scenarios
-Generalization important = learn
Generalization of Solution in Memory
-Important for adaptive behaviour
-Storing specific solutions without detail to apply to new scenarios
-Memory for solutions should include ‘essence’ and not specifics
Well Defined Problems
-Requirements are unambiguous
-All information needed to solve the problem is present
-Applying algorithms
-Puzzles
Ill Defined Problems
-How to overcome problem/the goal is ambiguous
-Requires added information
-Situational
-E.g. relaxation.. beach or hike?
Well-Defined Problems
-Games like chess, sudoku
-Goal directedness
-Defined goal state
-Task constraints (clear steps)
-Single, expected outcome
Ill-Defined Problems
-Ambiguous situations
-Have few limitations (rules) for how to solve the problem
-Multiple solutions or expected outcomes
-Social or self problem solving (rely on different neuro-cognitive processes)
Episodic Memory
Important for providing solutions (# of steps) for problems
Ill-Defined Problems Carry a Load
-Greater actvity in the right lateral prefrontal cortex
-Solving these problems carries a greater ‘cognitive load’
-Do not have schematic solutions to reduce working memory capacity
Cognitive Load
The amount of information that your working memory system can hold at one time
It is because these problems reduce working memory capacity
Why do ill-defined problems carry a high cognitive load?
Moravec’s Paradox
Artificial intelligence (AI) can solve well-defined problems well, but not ill-defined problems and simple skills
-AI algorithms work well with certainty but not with uncertainty
A Problem Space (Well-defined problems)
- Initial and goals state (e.g. drive to mtl)
- Intermediate paths and operations (e.g. stops at Tims because hungry; subgoal; helps move to goal state)
- Task Constraints (e.g. stay on highway)
The Tower of Hanoi Problem Space
- Start/finish (initial + goal states)
- Lines, possible moves you can make (operations)
- Can’t put a bigger piece on top of a small one (constraints)
well-defined problem; task constraints
The Tower of Harnoi Problem is an example of a _______ because it has ______
Brute Force
-Systematic algorithm that represents all the possible steps from the problem to goal state
-Guaranteed to find a solution, but inefficient
Combinatorial Explosion
Computing too many alternatives
-System kind of shuts down
-Linked to decision fatigue
Heuristics
Stategies to select moves in a problem space to avoid combinatorial explosion and decision fatigue
-Trial and error
-Hill climbing strategy
-Means and analysis
Concurrent Verbalizations
Describe what you are doing as you do it (how you are solving a problem)
