Problem Solving

Question 1

Problem

Answer 1

situation in which there is an obstacle between an initial state and goal state

Question 2

Well-defined problem

Answer 2

problem that has a clear goal state/correct answer

Question 3

Ill-defined problem

Answer 3

problem in which it is difficult to specify a clear goal state

Question 4

Insight

Answer 4

sudden realization of the solution to a problem

Question 5

Functional fixedness

Answer 5

tendency to restrict thinking about the use of an object to its familiar functions

Question 6

Mental set

Answer 6

preconceived notion about how to solve a problem, based on experience/what has worked in the past

Question 7

Problem space

Answer 7

initial state, goal state and all possible intermediate states for a problem

Question 8

Means-end analysis

Answer 8

problem solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the initial and goal states

Question 9

Analogical problem solving

Answer 9

comparing two problems to identify similarities between them that might reveal a common solution

Question 10

Analogical transfer

Answer 10

applying the solution from a source problem to a target problem

Question 11

Surface features

Answer 11

specific elements that make up a problem

Question 12

Structural features

Answer 12

underlying principles of a problem that govern the solution

Question 13

Remote associates task

Answer 13

find a word that can be added to each of the three words to make compound words