3- Problem Solving & Decision Making

Question 1

Problem Solving

Answer 1

• trial and error
  ex) puzzles
• -takes time

-algorithms
ex) computers
step by step, consider all alternatives, eventually reach solution
ex) maze

Deductive reasoning = top-down = general to specific

Inductive reasoning = bottom-up = specific to general

(previous context: perception/processing)

Question 2

Heuristics

Answer 2

• Humans don’t use algorithms, we use heuristics
• take shortcuts; rules of thumbs

ex) availability heuristic
- you’re more likely to believe something is true if you’re more able to think of examples of that thing- flawed
- -news: we believe crime increased b/c reported more

ex) representativeness heuristic
slim guy who likes to read poetry- Ivy League English Professor vs Truck Driver
–there’s maybe 40 Ivy League professors and less than that would be slim, a lot more truck drivers yet imagine professor

ex) bias (confirmation bias)- we tend to seek out and believe info that supports what we already think
- -antivaxxers w/ autism papers

ex) overconfidence bias
Dunning Kruger effect- mediocre people overestimate their skill at a given task, highly skilled people know their limitations and underestimate their performance

ex) intuition- explained by recognition-primed decision model
- when we get good at something, we can recognize subtle cues

ex) emotion to make decisions
when we’re angry or hungry, we make quicker, less thoughtful decisions so we can just go get food= do not shop when hangry

Question 3

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Answer 3

8 Types of Intelligence

• linguistic (speak/communicate)
• logical-mathematical (book smart)
• musical
• visual-spatial (sense of direction)
• bodily-kinesthetic
• interpersonal (understand people’s moods/motivations)
• intrapersonal (understand own emotions, introspection)
• naturalist

Question 4

Sternberg

Answer 4

How people use their intelligence

• analytical (evaluate, reason)
• creative (novel methods)
• Practical (everyday home/work issues)

Question 5

IQ

Answer 5

Intelligence quotient
Stanford-Binet IQ test

IQ = mental age/chronological age x 100 (%)

-inflated for young children

Average population IQ = 100; STD of 15

-based on genetics, env

STD = spread
68%, 95%, 99.7%