7.3 Problem Solving

Vocab and Notes

problem-solving strategies

a plan of action used to find a solution

trial and error

multiple attempts until desired outcome is achieved

algorithm

problem solving formula that provides you with step-by-step instructions used to achieve a desired outcome

algorithms must

be followed exactly to produced desired result

heuristic

general problem solving, mental short cuts used to solve problems, “rule of thumb”, a broadly accurate guide/principle

heuristic impulse triggers

1. when time is faced with too much information 2. when time to make a decision is limited 3. when the decision to be made is unimportant 4.when there’s access to little information when making decision 5. when the appropriate heuristic comes to mind in the moment of making a decision

working backwards

a heuristic that is useful when solving the problem by focusing on the end result

decomposition

tackling a large problem by breaking it down into smaller steps, making it less overwhelming

mental set

where you persists in approaching a problem in a way that has worked in the past, but isn’t working now

functional fixedness

mental set where an object’s only function is seen to be its assigned function, due to this bias one can’t see past its perceived function although it can be used for other things

anchoring bias

occurs when focus is applied to one piece of information when making a decision or solving a problem

confirmation bias

tendency to focus on information confirming your existing beliefs

hindsight bias

belief that an event experienced was predictable

representative bias

describes a faulty way of thinking, where judgement is made based on perception of similarity of a thing to existing stereotpes/beliefs

what does representative bias imply?

that everything is similar to your prototype of that thing

availability heuristic

decisions are made based one examples/information/experiences readily available, may not always be the best information