Cognitive Psych: Chapter 12

problem

when there is an obstacle between a present state and a goal state and it is not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle

restructuring

the process of changing a problem’s representation

insight

sudden realization of a problem’s solution

analytically based problems

problem that is solved by a process of systematic analysis, often using techniques based on past experience 

functional fixedness

an effect that occurs when the ideas a person has about an object’s function inhibit the person’s ability to use the object for a different function

mental set

a preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person’s experience or what has worked in the past

operators

permissible moves that can be made toward a problem’s solution

means-end analysis

a problem-solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the initial and goal states

analogy

making a comparison in order to show a similarity between two different things

analogical transfer

transferring experience in solving one problem to the solution of another, similar problem

divergent thinking

thinking that is open-ended, involoving a large number of potential solutions

compound remote-associate problem

a problem in which three words are presented, and the task is to determine one word that when combined with each of these words forms a new word or phrase

incubation

the phenomenon of getting ideas after taking a “time out” from working on a problem

executive control network

a brain networks that is involved in directing attention as a person is carrying out tasks

volitional daydreaming

the act of consciously choosing to disengage from external tasks in order to pursue and internal stream of thought that might have positive outcomes