wk1 - problem solving

what is problem solving?

it is the process of constructing and applying mental representations of problems to finding solutions to those problems

in psychological terms, what is a problem?

is a situation in which there is a discrepancy between the current state of the world and a goal state

in psychological terms, what is a solution?

is therefore an action (or series of actions) that transforms the current state into the goal state

identify the 4 stages of problem solving, according to Wessel

1. define the problem — identify current state, goal state, and available actions.

2. devise a strategy — solution

   • select actions to bridge the gap between the current and goal states

3. execute the strategy — carry out the planned action or series of actions

4. evaluate progress to the goal — measure the distance between the goal state and current state

   • assess whether the goal state has been achieved and adjust actions as needed

why are some problems harder to solve than others?

the ability to solve a problem is closing the gap between the current state and goal state—however not all problems are innately the same, with some a lot more complex than others; therefore the gap between the current and goal state is greater

what is it meant by ill-defined problem, provide an example

is a problem that lacks or offers vague information, unspecified—missing information, making it more challenging to identify the current or goal state; baking a cake without a recipe

what is it meant by well-defined problem, provide an example

is a problem were ALL aspects are specified; baking with a familiar/similar recipe

when we discuss problem solving the notion of insight appears, what does that imply on the basis of problem solving?

characterised as an eureka moment—Wessel proposed the stages in order to solve a problem, however humans are not robotic and through experience and knowledge will experience insight due to readily available information

what are the roles mental representations?

is the way beliefs, knowledge, and memories are stored in the mind; a representation of something — stands for the corresponding information in the external world

how would mental representations differ from instinctive responses?

instinctive responses are not involved in matters of problem solving while mental representations are active participants when it comes to it

how do mental representations work when we are solving a problem?

when being presented with a problem we rely on our mental representations to approach said problem—utilising tools like experiences, memories and existing understandings of ideas and patterns; to solve the issue at hand

what does the nine dots problem tell us about mental representations?

mental representations can be wrong, inaccurate, limiting or missing information—because it is coming from our own understandings and perceptions; so it is an issue of finding an appropriate mental representation when it comes to solving problems

how does constraints affect the way we solve a problem?

they affect the way we interpret problems by limiting our perceptions and assumptions of the problem at hand—it affects the representation of available actions as it fails to include all possible actions

what is functional fixedness?

a mental block that limits a person's ability to use an object in a new way, leading to solutions—it presents a narrow understanding of how we use objects; accommodating it to one or a particular function which limits our ability to think more creatively when solving a problem

the significance of functional fixedness in adults

functional fixedness in adults is significance—perceiving item/objects to have a sole purpose of use

the significance of functional fixedness in children

functional fixedness in children is less significance—with a more creative and lateral mindset when it comes to perceiving the use of items/objectives

Mary enters a room with the following. She spends roughly 30 minutes before admitted that could not solve the problem, expressing that it was “impossible since she did not have something to rest it on.”

What has Mary exemplified and identify how?

Mary has shown herself to have a high functional fixedness—this is represented by her interpretation of being unable to stack the candle on anything; reducing the use of the tack box as a box for tacks than something to hold something

Amanda enters a room with the following. She spends roughly 30 minutes before utilising the tack box as a shelf for the candle.

What has Amanda exemplified and identify how?

Amanda has shown to have a low functional fixedness—exemplified through her ability to think outside of the uses of the items in front of her; thinking more laterally

what are the benefits of having a high functional fixedness?

useful in cases where we need to typical in the use of objects

what happens when someone’s functional fixedness increases?

creativity decreases with increased functional fixedness due to experience limiting novel uses for objects

what are the 3 steps to reducing functional fixedness?

1. train to use objects creatively — encourage thinking about alternative uses for objects; using the object beyond the means it was supposed to be used as

2. unusual labeling — assigning nonsensical names to items to break traditional associations

3. list alternative uses — group activity where participants identify multiple uses for a common object

how can a mental representation be invaluable?

a good representation helps us approach a problem—but it is not enough as we need to be able to select actions that reduce the distance between the current and goal state; whereby the main issue at hand is some problems have many strategies so that leaves us with; how the hell do I get to the goal state? think of the game werewolf and how to get to the end state

why would we need to consider heuristics and algorithmic strategies in problem solving—what difference is it to mental representations?

mental representations are not as comprehensive or considerate of the steps between the current state and the goal state—in the case of werewolf: through MR we could use previous experiences and knowledge of our participants to see if they are lying, HOWEVER if surrounded by strangers using H and A we actively use the principles of the game and the patterns in which that occur in it to win

what is a heuristic strategy?

general rule of thumb/short-cut, a surface level and quick-fix approach that are based on principles, practical experience and knowledge; using a command strip rather than a nail to hang a picture, since that is what you have on hand—although does not guarantee an optimal solution

what is an algorithmic strategy?

a comprehensive method that involves a set of defined steps with stopping conditions that exhausts all our options to generate an optimal solution; dr strange looking at every possibility in endgame—not applicable to all problems: ill-defined problems

what is the generate-test heuristic? why would this be useful in problem solving?

this heuristics involves the repeated generation of a possible solution and testing to see if the said solution is correct—in cases where you cannot measure the progress to the goal state use of comprehensive heuristics would be deemed useless therefore only a generate-test heuristic will be helpful; in movies where they use a password guesser and it goes through every possible combination until it gets it correct

when is it appropriate to use a generate-test heuristic?

if there is no way of measuring how close the current state is to the goal state, then the generate-test heuristic be the only approach

what is the difference-reduction heuristic?

a strategy where you aim to minimize the gap between your current state and the desired goal state by taking steps to reduce the difference—by select actions that offer proximity to the goal; is useful when progress can be clearly measured

why would using a difference-reduction heuristic be useful in problem solving?

finds the simplest and fastest way to get to a goal

what would make the difference-reduction heuristic unhelpful?

as we solve a problem through convenience and simplicity; this heuristic becomes an issue when we have to step back and reassess the issue at hand, or taking a more inconvenient way to solve a problem

what is the strategy of subgoal generation?

a solution that involves breaking down a complex goal into smaller ones to facilitate easier achievement

what is an non-independent sub goal?

this means that these specific subgoals cannot work on their own or be a standalone; reading deathly hallows before philosopher’s stone

what is a means-end analysis?

an approach that involves identifying various ends (goals) and considering what means available to achieve each

explain the relationship between means-end analysis and subgoal generation?

creating subgoals are the inherent means that achieve the ends

what is the strategy of incubation?

taking time away from a problem can facilitate insights; effective during sleep or breaks, let things marinate

where would the strategy of incubation helpful?

helps for insight problems, which depend on a single key insight into the problem; by allowing participants to forget the misguided strategies they were considering before interruption—help overcome a bias towards repeat state avoidance