Problem Solving Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Wessell’s stages of problem solving, heuristics, and mental representation concepts.

Problem solving

The steps taken to change from a current state to a goal state.

Wessell’s Stage 1: Define the problem

Identifying the goal state, the current state, and the available actions.

Wessell’s Stage 2: Devise a strategy

Selecting an action or actions thought to bring the current state closer to the goal state.

Wessell’s Stage 3: Execute the strategy

Carrying out the intended action or actions.

Wessell’s Stage 4: Evaluate progress

Measuring the distance between the goal state and the current state and how it has changed.

Well-defined problem

A problem where all aspects (current state, goal state, and available actions) are clearly specified.

Ill-defined problem

A problem where some aspects of the current state, goal state, or available actions are not clearly specified.

Insight

A phenomenon where solutions come to a person in a flash rather than through conscious movement through the four stages of problem solving.

Mental representation

The way our beliefs, knowledge, and memories are stored in our minds.

Functional fixedness

A mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem.

Algorithm

A procedure that is guaranteed to find the solution for a problem.

Heuristic

A 'rule of thumb' that is easy and fast to use, and often helpful for problem solving.

Generate-test heuristic

Repeatedly generating a possible solution and testing to see whether that solution is correct; helpful when the search space is small.

Difference-reduction heuristic

Taking whatever action will produce the greatest reduction in the difference between the current state and the goal state.

Subgoal

An intermediate state between the current state and the goal state that must be carefully chosen and carried out in the correct order.

Incubation

Taking time away from solving a problem to help find a solution, particularly helpful for insight problems.