COGNITION: INSIGHT, INTELLIGENCE Flashcards
(72 cards)
When the solution to a problem seems to come suddenly to mind
Insight
In humans, insight often takes the form of an _ moment-the solution seems to come in a flash.
“aha!” moment
A person may realize that this problem is similar to another one that he or she already knows how to solve or might see that an object can be used for a different purpose than its original one.
Insight
- Functional Fixednes
- Mental Sets
- Confirmation Bias
3 Problems with Problem Solving and decision making
One problem-solving difficulty involves thinking about objects only in terms of their typical uses
Functional Fixedness
literally, “fixed on the function”
Functional Fixedness
Functional Fixedness
mental set
Defined as the tendency for people to persist in using problem-solving patterns that have worked for them in the past.
Mental Sets
Solutions that have worked in the past tend to be the ones people try first, and people are often hesitant or even unable to think of other possibilities.
Mental Sets
Another barrier to effective decision making or problem solving
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to search for evidence that fits one’s beliefs while ignoring any evidence to the contrary.
Confirmation Bias
Similar to a mental set, except that what is “set” is a belief rather than a method of solving problems.
Confirmation Bias
Not every _can be answered by using information already at hand and the rules of logic in applying that information.
problem
Sometimes a problem requires coming up with entirely new ways of looking at the problem or unusual, inventive solutions.
Creativity
Solving problems by combining ideas or behavior in new ways.
Creativity
The _ method for problem solving that has been discussed so far is based on a type of thinking called convergent thinking
LOGICAL
A problem is seen as having only one answer and all lines of thinking will eventually lead to (converge on) that single answer by using previous knowledge and logic.
convergent thinking
The reverse of convergent thinking.
Divergent thinking
A person starts at one point and comes up with many different, or divergent, ideas or possibilities based on that point (Finke, 1995).
Divergent thinking
_ thinkers will obviously be less prone to some of the barriers to problem solving, such as functional fixedness.
Divergent thinkers
- Brainstorming
- Keeping a Journal
- Freewriting
- Mind or Subject Mapping
Stimulating Divergent Thinking
Start with a central idea and draw a “map” with lines from the center to other related ideas, forming a visual representation of the concepts and their connections
Mind or Subject Mapping
Write down or record everything that comes to mind about a topic without revising or proofreading until all of the information is written or recorded in some way. Organize it later
Freewriting
Carry a journal to write down ideas as they occur or a recorder to capture those same ideas and thoughts
Keeping a Journal
