L7 - Problem Solving

Question 1

What are the three characteristics of problem solving?

Answer 1

1. Goal-directed, 2. Controlled processing, 3. Lack of immediate solution.

Question 2

What is a well-defined problem?

Answer 2

All aspects of the problem are clearly specified.

Question 3

What is an ill-defined problem?

Answer 3

Aspects of the problem are imprecisely specified.

Question 4

What is IGOR used for?

Answer 4

Describing a problem: Initial state, Goal state, Operators, Restrictions.

Question 5

What are knowledge-rich problems?

Answer 5

Require relevant background knowledge or expertise.

Question 6

What are knowledge-lean problems?

Answer 6

Can be solved using the information provided in the problem itself.

Question 7

What are the two types of thinking in Gestalt theory?

Answer 7

1. Reproductive (re-using experience), 2. Productive (novel restructuring).

Question 8

What is insight?

Answer 8

A sudden restructuring of a problem, often experienced as an ‘Aha!’ moment.

Question 9

What is functional fixedness?

Answer 9

Limiting an object’s use to its typical function, e.g. Duncker’s candle problem.

Question 10

What is mental set?

Answer 10

Using a previously successful strategy inappropriately, e.g. Luchins’ water jar problem.

Question 11

How can insight be facilitated?

Answer 11

1. Hints, 2. Incubation, 3. Changing representation.

Question 12

What is constraint relaxation?

Answer 12

Removing assumed limitations.

Question 13

What is re-encoding?

Answer 13

Reinterpreting aspects of a problem.

Question 14

What is elaboration?

Answer 14

Adding new problem-relevant information.

Question 15

What is the Nine-dot problem an example of?

Answer 15

Insight problem requiring constraint relaxation.

Question 16

What is means-end analysis?

Answer 16

Reducing the difference between current and goal states via sub-goals.

Question 17

What did Newell & Simon (1972) argue about problem solving?

Answer 17

We use heuristics due to limited short-term memory and serial processing.

Question 18

What is a cognitive miser?

Answer 18

Someone who avoids effortful thinking, relying on simple strategies.

Question 19

What is the Cognitive Reflection Test?

Answer 19

Assesses willingness to override intuitive but incorrect answers.

Question 20

What does the bat and ball question reveal?

Answer 20

Tendency to use intuition over reasoning – ball = 5p, not 10p.

Question 21

What is analogical problem solving?

Answer 21

Solving new problems using knowledge of similar past problems.

Question 22

What are the three types of similarity in analogical reasoning?

Answer 22

1. Superficial, 2. Structural, 3. Procedural.

Question 23

What did Gick & Holyoak (1980) find?

Answer 23

80% solved tumour problem with a related story, vs 10% without it.

Question 24

What hinders analogical transfer?

Answer 24

Lack of surface similarity between problems.

Question 25

What characterises an expert?

Answer 25

Extensive specialist knowledge and efficient problem solving.

Question 26

What did studies of chess expertise show?

Answer 26

Experts have better memory for meaningful configurations.

Question 27

What is the role of deliberate practice?

Answer 27

Prolonged, effortful practice that improves performance.

Question 28

What are the 4 features of deliberate practice?

Answer 28

1. Appropriate difficulty, 2. Feedback, 3. Repetition, 4. Error correction.

Question 29

What do eye-tracking studies reveal about medical experts?

Answer 29

Shorter fixations, faster and more frequent focus on task-relevant info.

Question 30

What are the two hypotheses from eye-tracking data?

Answer 30

1. Information-reduction, 2. Holistic model.

Question 31

What is plasticity?

Answer 31

Structural/functional brain changes due to experience.

Question 32

What was found in London taxi drivers?

Answer 32

Greater grey matter volume in posterior hippocampus linked to navigation expertise.