L14 Problem Solving and Decision Making

Flashcards covering key concepts from PSYC 112 Lecture 5 on Problem Solving and Decision Making, including methods, creativity, and common barriers.

Problem Solving

Overcoming an obstacle to reach a goal, involving procedures to get from a start state to an end goal.

Steps of Problem Solving

Understand the problem, generate possible solutions (hypotheses), test these solutions, evaluate results, and revise if necessary.

Trial and Error

A general strategy for problem solving involving trying different solutions until one works.

Algorithm

A general strategy for problem solving that guarantees a solution if followed correctly.

Heuristic

A strategy that doesn't guarantee a solution but often works, saves time, and is used when guaranteed solutions are not available (e.g., rule of thumb).

Means-End Analysis

A heuristic strategy for problem solving where one works step-by-step to get closer to the goal and monitors each step's progress.

Hill Climbing

A heuristic strategy where one changes the present state of the problem to be one step closer to solving it.

Creative Problem Solving

Involves strategies like divergent thinking, changing the representation of the problem (thinking outside the box), and searching for analogies.

Divergent Thinking

A type of thinking that explores multiple possible solutions in order to generate creative ideas.

Thinking Outside the Box

A phrase used to describe changing the representation of a problem to find novel solutions.

Solving by Analogy

Using the solution to a past problem to solve a present problem, based on structural or content similarity.

Mental Set

Habits and assumptions brought to solving a problem that can hinder finding new solutions, often making people stick to familiar methods even if they are not optimal.

Functional Fixedness

A cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used, hindering creative problem solving.

Incubation

Taking a break from a problem, which can help overcome a mental set and lead to new insights or solutions.

Successful Problem Solving Strategies

Includes practice and expertise, analyzing/planning/evaluating, thinking of different ways to represent a problem, looking for analogies, and being aware of pitfalls like functional fixedness and mental set.