Psychology Ch.7 pg 4 (Cognition: problem solving, judgement, and insight)

when we use the intuitive approach we tend to:

1. Accept or attempt to implement the first solution that appears satisfactory. 2. Rely more on trial-and-error approaches to problem-solving. 3. Exert less mental effort during the problems-solving process. 4. Make greater use of heuristics.

what are the steps to solving a problem that lacks a definitive solution?

1.Break the problem down and separately examine each problem element. 2. Obtain additional information on each problem element. 3.Generate multiple potential solutions and compare them. 4.Create and implement a plan. 5.Observe the impacts (and if the problem is not solved, repeat the procedure).

Dr. Kounios argues that we shouldn't always be creative. To demonstrate a time where creative thinking is actually NOT desirable, he uses the example of... A ...a surgeon taking out an appendix. B ...a construction worker building a home. C ...a teacher preparing a class. D ...an actor preparing for a role.

A

Which of the following ARE TRUE regarding heuristics (click on all the answers that describe an accurate advantageof heuristics)? Multiple answers:You can select more than one option A They produce solutions faster than other forms of problem solving. B They involve more explicit processing than other problem solving strategies use. C They are less error prone compared to other forms of problem solving. D They require less mental effort than other problem solving approaches. E They require more step-by-step thinking as compared to other problem solving approaches. F We can improve the effectiveness of our heuristics through experience and practice.

A,D, F

According to the video you just watched, a person would be most likely to have an insight... A ...while watching television. B ...while working in a small office. C ...when in a dimly lit room with high ceilings. D ...when angry and upset.

C

According to the explanation provided by John Kounios in the video you just watched, what is the first thing to happen when people have an "Aha" moment? A A burst of activity in the frontal lobe. B A burst of activity in the brain stem. C A burst of activity in the pre-frontal cortex. D A burst of activity in the temporal lobe.

D

Algorithm

First, it is linear. This means we start at one point and we work our way forward. Second, it is step-by-step. Thus, we start at Step 1, then we move onto Step 2, then we move on to Step 3, and so on. Third, it "selects" a solution. algorithms are best when a problem has multiple levels of possible solution and we need to determine the one that makes the most sense given the current features of the problem.

what is insight

Insight is the sudden change in a concept or recognition of a pattern that leads to a problem's solution to a problem (Kounios & Beeman, 2014). Insight is to kryptonite as fixation is to superman. In other words, insights often allow us to see things in new ways or make connections we previously seemed blocked from making

Kohlers study

Kohler's early studies on chimp cognition demonstrated that animals could form insights. In addition, they suggested that some problems are solved through thinking (which stood slightly in contrast to E. L. Thorndike's stance that problems were typically solved via trial and error and the law of effect).

Insight-Learning Study

Max Wertheimer (1923) examined if children required to solve a problem using insight would develop a better understanding of the core aspects of the problem than those taught the solution to a problem. In his study, two groups of children were each given a parallelogram and asked to find the area of this shape. The children were familiar with calculating areas for other objects, but had never calculated the area of a parallelogram. For the first group, Wertheimer explained the formula to the children. They were then able to calculate the area based on what they had learned. Wertheimer did not provide the second group of children with the formula. Instead, he required them to figure it out on their own. Eventually, the children figured out a way to do this. They cut off the ends of the parallelogram. This resulted in two triangles and one rectangle. The children did know how to calculate the area for these shapes. They did so and then they summed the three areas. Though the second group took much longer to complete the task, they demonstrated greater understanding on a follow up problem. In the follow up problem, Wertheimer provided the two groups with a new shape and asked them to calculate the area. This time, neither group was given the formula. the second group, who had been required to solve the prior problem with insight, was much faster at resolving the second problem. Wertheimer interpreted this as indicating that the students required to learn through insight had developed a better understanding of how to approach similar problems in the future.

What Are the Benefits of the Structured Approach?

While the structured approach involves longer periods of time prior to taking action, it can sometimes solve a problem more quickly than the intuitive approach. A lot of this depends on the nature of the problem.

What Are Heuristics?

a mental rule-of-thumb that allows us to form judgments very quickly. At times, heuristics can lead us to wildly incorrect conclusions or to make decisions that are not optimal. On the other hand, humans' ability to use heuristics effectively is impressive. Heuristics involve connections within our memory (i.e., within our schemas). Thus, our heuristics are often heavily influenced by our lived experience. At times, this is absolutely a good thing.

What are problems

anything which prevents achievement of a goal. Thus, to have a problem, we need three things: An initial state, a desired state (i.e., goal), and an obstacle of some kind preventing the initial state from being the desired state. When confronted with problems, humans use schemas to integrate past experiences with internal representations of possible outcomes. This makes humans incredibly good problem-solvers. So good, in fact, that humans often rely on intuition.

Problem Solving

is the identification of challenges and attempts to implement solutions that achieve desired goals. From the perspective of the brain, almost everything you will ever do is problem solving at least to a degree.

Structured Problem-Solving Approach

refers to systematic, step-by-step methods for problem-solving. These approaches require more effort and are slower compared to intuitive approaches. Though slower they do have on advantage, they are far less error prone.

Brain Blink

refers to the implicit activity of several parts of the brain prior to conscious recognition of an insight.

Intuitive Problem-Solving Approach

refers to the use of effortless reactions to generate solutions and judgments with minimal effort, explicit thought, or higher-order reasoning. Notice the word "minimal." We typically do put forth at least some effort and engage in some thought and reasoning. However, when using the intuitive approach, we only do this to a minimal degree. Instead, we rely much more heavily on heuristics when we are solving problems using the intuitive approach.

What are the four features that make insight distinct from other forms of problem-solving.

​We experience insights as if they came from outside of us. Insights are generated, in part, by the "You which is not You." Some part of the brain implicitly works with the information and then presents it to conscious awareness (Kounios & Beeman, 2009). It's not uncommon for people to have an insight pop into mind when they are not actively working on a problem. Second, insights come into awareness suddenly. We may not even consciously sense that an insight is approaching. Instead, there is a "flash" and "burst" of insight and we suddenly understand something that had seemed so elusive (Topolinski & Reber, 2010). Third, the experience of having an insight often (not always) produces positive emotion. This is often a sort of happy- surprised feeling (Kounios & Beeman, 2014). Forth, insights are often (not always) correct. While intuition can get us into trouble, intuitive problem-solving that produces insights is often more accurate than not.