Problem Solving

Question 1

Goal

Answer 1

Destination solution

Question 2

Characteristics of problem solving

Answer 2

Goal directedness
Sequence of steps
Cognitive operations
Subgoal decomposition

Question 3

How do we solve problems? Gestalt

Answer 3

Focus on the whole
Gestalt grouping - relationship among items
Insight

Question 4

Difficulties in problem solving (6)

Answer 4

Persistence of set 
Incorrect problem representations 
Functional fixedness
Negative set 
Individual differences 
Lack of expertise

Question 5

Operators

Answer 5

Legal operations moves or functions

Question 6

Representational change theory

Answer 6

Emphasis on factors that allow people to overcome a ‘block’ to problem solving

Question 7

Incubation

Answer 7

A problem is solved more easily if set aside for some time

Question 8

Algorithm

Answer 8

Systematic procedure guaranteed to lead to a solution

Question 9

Heuristics

Answer 9

Rules of thumb that generally lead to a solution

Question 10

Brute force search

Answer 10

Test all possible states until solution found

Question 11

Hill climbing

Answer 11

All moves towards the goal state

Question 12

Working backward

Answer 12

Approaching problem from goal state

Question 13

Means ends strategy

Answer 13

Identifies distance between current state and goal state

Question 14

Positive and negative transfer

Answer 14

Previous experience either allows problem to be solved faster or disrupts the ability

Question 15

Multi constraint theory

Answer 15

Predicts how people use analogies
Predicts what factors govern thee analogies
Problem similarity, problems structure, purpose of analogy