Chapter 12 Flashcards
(37 cards)
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
analogical paradox
people find it difficult to apply analogies in laboratory settings, but routinely use them in real world settings
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
analogical transfer
transferring experience in solving one problem to the solution of another, similar problem
analogy
making a comparison in order to show a similarity between two different things
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
creative cognition
technique developed by Finke to train people to think creatively
divergent thinking
thinking that is open-ended, involving a large number of potential solutions
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
fixation
in problem solving, people’s tendency to focus on a specific characteristic of the problem that keeps them from arriving at a solution
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
goal state
in problem solving, the condition that occurs when a problem has been solved
group brainstorming
when people in a problem-solving group are encouraged to express whatever ideas come to mind, without censorship
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
initial state
in problem solving, the conditions at the beginning of a problem
insight
sudden realization of a problem’s solution
intermediate states
in problem solving, the various conditions that exist along the pathways between the initial and goal states.
Latent inhibition (LI)
mechanism that results in screening out irrelevant stimuli
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
mental set
preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person’s experience or what has worked in the past
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
operators
in problem solving, permissible moves that can be made toward a problem’s solution
preinventive forms
objects created in Finke’s “creative cognition” experiment that precede the creation of a finished creative product
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