ch.11 problem solving cog psych Exam 3

The productive processes involved in the Gestalt approach include creating ______ of information structured to achieve particular goals.

*not mental sets* ???

How do you solve problems: through trial and error, through conscious deliberation, or do solutions just suddenly occur to you?

Trial and error works as a strategy for relatively simple problems, but we typically use other strategies for more complex problems. Often we break the problem down into subproblems, working on solving those to achieve our larger goal. Sometimes we get stuck until we change how we represent the problem and a solution emerges.

How do expert problem solvers differ from novices?

We all draw upon our past experiences to solve problems. Within their domain of expertise, experts have a much larger array of experiences compared to novices. This experience allows experts to focus their attention on the most relevant aspects of a problem, to focus on the underlying structure of a problem instead of surface features, to represent a problem in the most efficient way, and to retrieve past solutions to similar problems.

What gets in your way when trying to solve problems?

We solve problems within our cognitive systems, and sometimes those systems have limitations that impact our ability to solve problems. We have limits on how much information we can attend to and hold in working memory at one time. To overcome this, we often chunk information together. Sometimes the information is chunked in a way that facilitates finding a solution. However, other times the information is grouped together in a way that interferes with finding a solution. Sometimes the problem has so many potential paths to achieving a goal that we can't consider them all and as a result miss the right one.

Algorithm:

a prescribed problem-solving strategy that always leads to the correct solution in problems with a single correct solution

Well-defined problem:

a problem that has a clearly defined goal state and constraints

Ill-defined problem:

a problem that lacks a clearly defined goal state and constraints

Heuristic:

a problem-solving strategy that does not always lead to the correct solution

Working-backward strategy:

a problem-solving strategy that involves beginning with the goal state and working back to the initial state

Hill-climbing strategy:

a problem-solving strategy that involves continuous steps toward the goal state

Means-ends strategy:

a problem-solving strategy that involves repeated comparisons between the current state and the goal state

IDEAL framework:

a step-by-step description of problem solving processes

Mental set:

a tendency to use the same set of solutions to solve similar problems

Talia needs to solve a complex engineering problem. She employs a predetermined strategy to find a single correct solution. This is an example of a(n) ______.

algarhythm

A prescribed problem-solving strategy that always leads to the correct solution in problems with a single correct solution is a(n) ______, while a problem-solving strategy that does not always lead to the correct solution is a(n) ______.

algorithm; heuristic

Using Gick and Holyoak's (1980) story involving a general and his army as a way to help solve the problem of a surgeon and his patient with an inoperable tumor is an example of ______.

analogous transference

Which of the following is the best example of an ill-defined problem?

dress to impress

The research on expertise consistently shows that ______.

experts are better but only in their field of expertise

Functional ______ is focusing on how things are usually used, while ignoring other potential uses.

fixidness

Functional fixedness:

focusing on how things are typically used and ignoring other potential uses in solving a problem

Consider the following scenario. You are at work, and the strap on your shoe breaks. You have to figure out a way to fix it; otherwise, you will not be able to walk properly with both shoes. You use a paperclip to hold the strap on. This example rejects the idea of ______.

functional fixedness

______ is a tendency to use the same set of solutions to solve similar problems, whereas ______ is using the same solution for two different problems with the same underlying structure.

mental set, analogous transfer

Insight:

suddenly realizing the solution to a problem

Analogical transfer:

using the same solution for two problems with the same underlying structure

Employing the hill-climbing strategy is an example of using a(n) ______ strategy.

? heuristic

Why are some problems more difficult to solve than others?

Problems with clearly defined goals and constraints are typically easier to solve than those that are less clear. Problems that we have had past experience with are typically easier than those that are new to us. Problems that require us to represent relevant information in a way different from how we usually think of things are also typically difficult.

What kind of problems do you solve every day?

Some of the problems we solve every day are well defined, with clearly stated goals and strategies for achieving those goals. Others are ill defined, with fuzzier goals and fewer clear pathways to their solutions.