PSY 324 - Unit 13

What are the aspects of problems?

a goal, givens, means of transforming conditions, obstacles

What is a Goal in terms of problem solving?

the end game result

What is meant by Givens in terms of problem solving?

conditions that are potentially part of the problem solving process

What is meant by the Means of Transforming Conditions in terms of problem solving?

there must be a practical way to solve the problem

What is the Problem Space?

the mental representation of the problem

What is the Task Environment?

the place in the world where the problem solving process will occur

What is the Problem State?

scenarios within the problem solving process

What is a Problem Operator?

actions or steps to solve a problem

What is the difference between a Well and an Ill Defined Problem?

well defined goals have clearly specified conditions and aspects of the problem; ill defined problems have no clearly specified paths to the goal

What is true about Algorithms?

they are systematic; they guarantee that the problem will be solved but they can be very time and resource consuming

What is true about Heuristics?

they are a shortcut to solving a problem; they are efficient but they have no guarantee that the problem will be solved

What is meant by Hill Climbing a problem?

choosing the obvious next step to the goal

What is meant by a Means End Analysis?

reduce psychological distance to the goal even if it means going out of the way of the goal at first

What is meant by the bias of Functional Fixedness?

when we are engaged in a problem solving process, we sometimes overlook certain tools if it would require that we use them for a purpose other than its intent