11.2

Problem Solving and Reasoning (Creativity)

Well-defined problem

A problem characterized by a very specific scope and goal, a narrower set of actions, and the ability to plan ahead easily.

Ill-defined problem

An open-ended problem with an undefined goal, a large scope, and an unclear set of actions that might require years to solve and may shift over time (e.g., migrating to Mars).

Generate-and-test

A trial-and-error problem-solving approach, commonly used in matches and equations puzzles.

Working backwards

A problem-solving strategy used when one knows what the solution should look like and executes the last step first, as in the Tower of Hanoi.

Troubleshooting

A strategy involving backtracking to identify the problem, which is distinct from working backwards.

Analogous problem

A problem-solving method where providing a related scenario (such as cancer therapy versus a general conquering a city) makes finding a solution much more likely when individuals are told they are related.

Mental set

How a person approaches a problem, often leading to overthinking, as illustrated by the nine-dot problem where the solution requires connecting dots outside the boundaries.

Functional fixedness

A fixed mental set regarding the function of an object, as demonstrated in the two-string problem.

Divergent thinking

Thinking outside the box in more than one direction, exemplified by finding a new use for a plier in the two-string problem or solving the parking lot problem.

Convergent thinking

A mode of thinking aimed at connecting unassociated concepts together, as required in word problems.

Fluid intelligence

The ability to solve new problems, which decreases over time.

Crystallized intelligence

The accumulation of things you factually know, which increases over time.

General intelligence

An overall intelligence construct represented by the sum of specialized subsets: $\text{Linguistic able} + \text{Numerical able} + \text{Spatial able} = \text{GENERAL INTELLIGENCE}$.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)

A standardized assessment used to measure general and specialized intelligence abilities.

Decomposition

A problem-solving strategy that high-functioning ASD individuals were shown to use more frequently when asked about ways to solve math problems in Iucalano et al. (2014).

FFGyrus

A brain area typically utilized for facial recognition that is less utilized in ASD individuals and rewired via neuroplasticity for math as another type of perceptual expertise.