Flashcards in Chapter 12 Deck (37):
1
analogical encoding
technique in which people compare two problems that illustrate a principle. This technique is designed to help people discover similar structural features of cases or problems
2
analogical paradox
people find it difficult to apply analogies in laboratory settings, but routinely use them in real world settings
3
analogical problem solving
use of analogies as an aid to solving problems. Typically, a solution to one problem, the source problem, is presented that is analogous to the solution to another problem, the target problem
4
analogical transfer
transferring experience in solving one problem to the solution of another, similar problem
5
analogy
making a comparison in order to show a similarity between two different things
6
candle problem
a problem, first described by Dunker, in which a person is given a number of objects and is given the task of mounting a candle on a wall so it can burn without dripping wax on the floor. This problem was used to study funtional fixedness
7
creative cognition
technique developed by Finke to train people to think creatively
8
divergent thinking
thinking that is open-ended, involving a large number of potential solutions
9
expert
person who, by devoting a large amount of time to learning about a field and practicing and applying that learning, has become acknowledged as being extremely skilled or knowledgeable in that field
10
fixation
in problem solving, people's tendency to focus on a specific characteristic of the problem that keeps them from arriving at a solution
11
functional fixedness
an effect that occurs when the ideas of a person has about an object's function inhibit the person's ability to use the object for a different function
12
goal state
in problem solving, the condition that occurs when a problem has been solved
13
group brainstorming
when people in a problem-solving group are encouraged to express whatever ideas come to mind, without censorship
14
in vivo problem-solving research
observing people to determine how they solve problems in real-world situations. This technique has been used to study the use of analogy in a number of different settings, including laboratory meetings of a university research group and design brainstorming sessions in an industrial research and development department
15
initial state
in problem solving, the conditions at the beginning of a problem
16
insight
sudden realization of a problem's solution
17
intermediate states
in problem solving, the various conditions that exist along the pathways between the initial and goal states.
18
Latent inhibition (LI)
mechanism that results in screening out irrelevant stimuli
19
means?end analysis
a problem-solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the initial and goal states. This is achieved by created subgoals, intermediate states that are closer to the goal
20
mental set
preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person's experience or what has worked in the past
21
mutilated checkerboard problem
a problem that has been used to study how the statement of a problem influences a person's ability to reach a solution
22
operators
in problem solving, permissible moves that can be made toward a problem's solution
23
preinventive forms
objects created in Finke's "creative cognition" experiment that precede the creation of a finished creative product
24
problem
situation in which there is an obstacle between a present state and a goal state and it is not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle
25
problem space
initial state, goal state, and all the possible intermediate states for a particular problem
26
radiation problem
problem posed by Duncker that involves finding a way to destroy a tumor by radiation without damaging other organs in the body. This problem has been widely used to study the role of analogy in problem solving
27
restructuring
probess of changing a problem's representation. According to the Gestalt psychologists, restructuring is the key mechanism of problem solving
28
Savant syndrome
occurs in people with autism or other mental disorders who can achieve extraordinary feats of memory or may have great artistic talent or mathematical ability
29
source problem
problem or story that is analogous to the target problem and which therefore provides information that can lead to a solution to the target problem
30
structural features (problem solving)
underlying principle that governs the solution to a problem - for example, in the radiation problem, needing high intensity to fix something surrounded by material that could be damaged by high intensity
31
subgoals
in the means?end analysis approach to problem solving, intermediate states that move the process of solution closer to the goal
32
surface features
specific elements that make up a problem. For example, in the radiation problem, the rays and the tumor are surface features
33
target problem
a problem to be solved. In analogical problem solving, solution of this problem can become easier when the problem-solver is exposed to an analogous source problem or story
34
think-aloud protocol
a procedure in which subjects are asked to say out loud what they are thinking while doing a problem. This procedure is used to help determine people's thought processes as they are solving a problem
35
tower of Hanoi problem
problem involving moving discs from one set of pegs to another. It has been used to illustrate the process involved in means?end analysis
36
two-string problem
problem first described by Maier in which a person is given the task of attaching two strings together that are too far apart to be reached at the same time. This task was devised to illustrate the operation of functional fixedness
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