Chapter 12: Problem Solving and Creativity

The Gestalt Approach to Problem Solving

Restructuring the problem's elements to see the whole picture, leading to sudden insight (the "Aha!" moment) rather than gradual trial-and-error

Insight

An “uh ha!” moment, where you have a sudden realization of a solution to the problem.

Restructuring

The process of changing a problem’s representation

How is restructuring related to insight?

Restructuring is often the outcome of insight

Insight problem

The straight-line triangle experiment

Non-insight problem

Essay writing

Analytical math problems

How do we know that insight happens quickly rather than being a gradual process?

Because participant’s ratings of “warmth” for finding the solution increase rapidly just before they solve the problem

Functional fixedness

When one is fixed in thinking a certain way

What is the information-processing approach to problem solving?

Problem-solving is a search problem, because you are always searching through all the possible actions you could take to determine which will best solve the problem.

Ex. People say they will “approach a problem from a different angle”

How does the wording of a problem effect problem solving?

Greatly, the Russian Marriage Problem is easy to solve, because you put the people in groups, bachelors and unmarried women, making it much easier to keep track of the total

How does analogy help problem solving?

30% of participants who read the fortress problem could now do the radiation problem (as opposed to 10%)

How does expertise effect problem solving?

The additional knowledge can help, but it can also lead to mental sets

Divergent thinking (creativity in problem-solving)

Extremely open-ended, with lots of novel solutions

When is divergent thinking good vs not good

Bad for things like math, where you require a specific series of steps to solve a problem (hence why Discovery Math sucked!)

Good for something that’s never been solved before

What are the three ways to improve creativity?

Daydreaming

Solitude

Mindfulness

How do we know analogical learning is transferable?

Two groups received a case study, and the one that was exposed to analogy, used analogy in their solution. They did what they learned before; hence, it’s learnable.

What are the neural correlates of insight?

EEG shows a special brain wave when one has a moment of insight

What is another example of wording influencing problem solving?

The mutilated checkerboard

What is an example of problem solving as a search?

The towers of Hanoi, as one is constantly searching for the next steps and strategies