Problem Solving and Expertise

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the psychology of problem solving, obstacles, strategies, and the development of expertise.

Problem

Occurs when there is an obstacle between the present state and a goal where the solution is not immediately obvious on how to get around the obstacle.

Insight

The sudden realisation of a problems solution.

Analysis

Where a process is undertaken to generate a solution to a problem.

Well-defined problem

A problem where all aspects are clearly specified including the initial state of situation, the range of possible moves and the gola or solution.

Ill-defined problems

Problems that are unspecified and where there is not a lot of information or resources.

Knowledge-rich problems

Problems that require considerable background knowledge to solve.

Knowledge-lean problems

A problem where all the information required to solve it is included in the problem statement.

Functional fixedness

An obstacle to problem solving where a person is fixated on needing a particular object to solve a problem.

Mental set

A preconceived notion of how to solve a problem related to processes and procedures that can get in the way of actually solving the problem.

Simon and Newell framework

A problem-solving model involving an initial state, intermediate states and the goal state.

Tower of Hanoi problem

A problem involving 3 pegs and 3 discs of different sizes stacked largest to smallest; the goal state is to stack them in that order on the third peg using legal moves.

Sub-goals

Intermediate steps used during problem solving that get you closer to the end goal.

Means-end analysis

A method of how to get to the end goal using sub-goals.

Analogies

Comparisons between present and past situations used as an important aspect for solving problems.

Expertise

Knowledge about a specific area which is acquired over many years, involving different representations of knowledge compared to novices.

Novice knowledge representation

A state where individuals only have access to surface features of a problem rather than structural frameworks.

Routine expertise

Using knowledge acquired to solve familiar problems efficiently, often using schemas, templates, and scripts.

Adaptive expertise

Using acquired knowledge to develop strategies for dealing with novel problems.