Problem Solving (CH. 13) Flashcards
What is Analytical Problem Solving?
Problem solving as a conscious, deliberate search through the problem space
What is a Problem Space?
The set of all states that can be reached between a problems
initial state and its goal state
What is the Hill Climbing Strategy?
At each step in solving a problem, choose the option that moves you in the direction of your goal
What is the Means-End Analysis?
A strategy used in problem solving in which the person is guided, step by step, by the difference between the current state and the goal state, and by asking what operations are available for reducing that difference
What is Mapping?
The process of figuring out how aspects of one situation or argument correspond to aspects of some other situation or argument; this process is crucial for a problem solver’s ability to find and use analogies
What is Functional Fixedness?
A tendency to be rigid in how one thinks about an object’s function. This generally involves a strong tendency to think of an object only in terms of its typical function
What is Einstellung?
This term is sometimes used interchangeably with the term problem-solving set, but is often used more specifically to refer to a rigidity that can grow out of early efforts in solving a series of problems. If these early efforts are successful, the person will likely continue using the same method, even if there is a seemingly-obvious and much more efficient solution available for subsequent problems in that series
What is Preparation?
In problem solving, the first in a series of stages often hypothesized as crucial for creativity. The second stage is incubation; the third, illumination; the fourth, verification. Preparation is the stage in which one begins effortful work on the problem, often with little progress
What is Incubation?
The second in a series of stages that are often hypothesized as crucial for creativity. Incubation is hypothesized to involve events that occur when a person puts a problem out of their conscious thoughts but continues nonetheless to work on the problem unconsciously. Many current psychologists are skeptical about this process, and they propose alternative accounts for data that ostensibly document incubation
What is Verification?
One of the four steps that are commonly hypothesized as part of creative problem solving; in this step, the problem solver confirms that a new idea really does lead to a problem solution, and then they work out the details
What is Convergent Thinking?
An ability to find ways in which seemingly distinct ideas might be interconnected
What is Divergent Thinking?
An ability to move one’s thoughts in novel, unanticipated directions
What is Forward Flow?
A measure of how much one’s current thinking breaks away from past thoughts
What are Ill-Defined Problems?
The goal state and the options for reaching the goal state are not clearly specified
What is a Problem-Solving Set?
Collection of beliefs and assumptions a person makes about a problem
