10 - Problem Solving and Creativity Flashcards
define problem solving
the effort directed toward finding ways to obtain one’s goals
problems can be_
- well or ill defined
- routine or nonroutine
many factors influence problem solving success, name 4
the use of heuristics, experience, insight and creativity
define “well-defined” problem
clear
- has a given state, goal state and operators are clearly defined
define “ill-defined” problem
broader
-vague problem to solve
- not clear what the path to solution would be
define a “routine” problem
- problems in which you are familiar with the solution
define a “non-routine” problem
- a little more difficult
- don’t see it as often
- solution will take some time to develop
*little experience with problem
what is 1 way to success in problem solving?
creating well-defined sub goals (break up big problems into sub-chunks)
- if it’s too broad you can limit problem to more constrained space
define problem space
the set of all states that can be reached in solving the problem
- lets us see what the solutions are, usually too vast for most problems
*problem solving AS A SEARCH
name 2 general problem-solving heuristics
- hill-climbing strategy
- means-end analysis
define hill-climbing strategy
at each step in solving a problem, choose the option that moves you in the direction of your goal
*doesn’t always have to go upwards
define means-end analysis
“what means do I have to make my current state more like my goal state?”
*breaking down into sub goals and establishing how you can reach the goal right now
what’s another general problem-solving heuristic strategy?
drawing out the problem can be more effective
- visualizing
why is experience important in problem solving?
general heuristics are great but often we use our past experiences
- compare a current problem with past problem we have already solved through ANALOGICAL REASONING
how is problem solving done via analogy?
- spontaneously engaging in analogical reasoning is quite rare
- problem solving can be improved by encouraging people to focus on the deep structure at initial learning of the problem (trying to relate it to other structures from the beginning will help)
who uses analogies more, experts/novices?
*experts use analogies more than novices!
- form analogies in their field