Problem Solving (ch 12) pt 1 Flashcards
Problem Solving
Refers to active efforts to discover what must be done to achieve a goal that is not readily attainable. In problem solving situations, one must go around obstacles that are not immediately obvious to reach a goal.
Problems of Inducing Structure
The person must discover the relationships among the parts of the problem (ex: series-completion, analogies)
Problems of Arrangement
The person must arrange the parts in a way that satisfies some criterion (ex: string problem) → often has multiple solutions.
Problems of Transformation
The person must carry out a sequence of transformations in order to reach a specific goal (ex: hobbits & orcs).
Problem Solving Barriers
Irrelevant info, functional fixedness, mental set, and unnecessary constraints.
Irrelevant Information
Information is present in the problem, but isn’t necessary to the solution. You must make these determinations.
Functional Fixedness
The tendency to restrict the use of an item to only its most common use.
Mental Set
It’s a preconceived notion of how to approach a problem. When people persist in strategies that have worked in the past (rigid thinking).
Unnecessary Constraints
Effective problem solving requires specifying all the constraints governing a problem without assuming any constraints that don’t exist. “If it doesn’t say you can’t, do what you can.”
Trial & Error
the process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until one finds the most successful.
Algorithm
Algorithms can be designed for any type of problem, i.e. mathematical, logical, or any complex problems
Heuristics
the process by which humans use mental shortcuts to arrive at decisions
Means/Ends Analysis
Involves identifying differences that exist between the current state & the goal state and making changes that will reduce these differences. Always progressing to the goal state.
Subgoals
Intermediate steps toward a solution. When you reach a subgoal, you’ve solved part of the problem.
Working Backwards
For problems with a well-specified endpoint. Good option when there are a lot of potential choices at the beginning, but relatively few options at the end.
