Cognitive Psychology Chapter 9

operator

A legal move in solving a problem;it results in a transition from one state to another within a problem space

ill-defined problem

A problem in which the goal state, the initial star, or the operators are not clearly defined

Well-defined problem

A problem in which the initial state, goal state, and operations can be stated clearly; contrasts with ill-defined

backward chaining

A problem-solving heuristic in which an unknown quantity in a problem is identified and, from that unknown, an attempt is made to work backward toward the quantities given in the problem

forward chaining

A problem-solving heuristic in which the known quantities in the problem are first identified and then an attempt is made to work forward toward the unknown quantities

heuristic

A rule of thumb or general strategy that may lead to a solution reasonably quickly, with relatively low computational cost

algorithm

A rule that correctly generates the solution to a problem, given that one can devote sufficient time and effort to applying the rule

historical creativity

Acts of genius that are widely acclaimed by society as meritorious and novel within the context of human history

functional fixedness

An impediment to problem solving; refers to the tendency to see objects as having only a single typical use

productive thinking

Entails insight and creativity in the seeking of the solution to a problem

reproductive thinking

Entails the application of tried-and-true paths to the solution of a problem

Directed thinking

Goal-direction, methodical thinking used in solving problems; contrast with unidirectional thinking

subgoals

In a problem space, important intermediate states that must be reached between the initial state and the goal state

isomorphic problems

Problems that appear different on the surface- in their wording, for example - but share the same problem space at a deep level of analysis

fluid intelligence

Refers to an ability to solve novel problems as a kind of intelligence

crystallized intelligence

Refers to breadth and depth of a person's knowledge as a kind of intelligence

fixation

Refers to the blocking of solution paths to a problem that is caused by past experiences related to the problem

Initial State

The beginning of a problem: it is the first state of a problem space and the opposite of the goal state; compare also with subgoals

preparation

The first stage of creativity concerned with studying, learning, formulating solutions, and striving to create

verification

The fourth stage of creativity, when the solution achieved as an insight must be fleshed out and checked carefully

problem space

The initial state, goal state, and all possible states in between that may be reached by applying the operators or legal moves in a problem

incubation

The second stage of the creativity that refers to putting the problem aside and doing other things

Goal state

The solution to a problem; the final end state of the problem space and the opposite of the initial state; compare also with subgoals

illumination

The third stage of creativity in which insight into the problem solution is obtained

metacognition

Thinking about another thought process in which the object of a mental representation is another mental representation

Undirected thinking

Wandering thought, as in daydreams, that may prompt a creative solution to a problem