Problem Solving

Question 1

What is problem solving

Answer 1

The process of finding solutions to a difficult or complex problem

Question 2

Three major aspects to problem solving

Answer 2

• purposeful.
• involves controlled processes.
• lack the relevant knowledge to immediately solve the problem.

Question 3

Well defined problems

Answer 3

All aspects of the problem are clearly specified

Question 4

ill defined problems

Answer 4

Unspecified rules or aspects

Question 5

Most every day problems are

Answer 5

ill defined

Question 6

Knowledge rich problems

Answer 6

Can only be solved by those with the relevant knowledge

Question 7

Knowledge lean problems

Answer 7

Do not require a lot of knowledge as most of the info is contained within the initial problem statement

Question 8

Search based solutions

Answer 8

Effortful and deliberate, proceeding incrementally to the solution

Question 9

Memory based solutions

Answer 9

Solutions can pop into mind automatically from memory

Question 10

Insight based solutions

Answer 10

From accurate and deep understanding of the problem

Question 11

General problem solver

Answer 11

Most simple problems can be broken down into a series of stages

Question 12

Stages of general problem solver

Answer 12

Problem space.
Selection of operators.
Implementation of the selected operators.
Evaluation of current state.

Question 13

Problem space

Answer 13

Representing the problem using initial and goal state, the instructions and constraints of the problem and all relevant info retrieved from long term memory

Question 14

Selection of operators

Answer 14

Actions that will achieve the goal by transforming the initial state

Question 15

Implementation of the selected operators

Answer 15

Results in a new current state

Question 16

Evaluation of current state

Answer 16

If this corresponds to the goal, a solution is reached

Question 17

Heuristics

Answer 17

Mental short cuts/ rules of thumb which require little cognitive effort

Question 18

Means end analysis

Answer 18

Contrasted with algorithms that are complex

Question 19

Heuristics highlighted by general problem solver

Answer 19

Means end analysis.
Work backwards.
Progress monitoring.
Hill climbing.

Question 20

Means end analysis steps

Answer 20

Note difference between current and goal state.
Form sub goal to reduce this difference.
Select the operator that will permit the attainment of sub goals.
If no operator can be found, apply means end to sub goal and repeat.

Question 21

Isomorphic

Answer 21

Problems with different surface features but same underlying problem structure

Question 22

Homomorphic

Answer 22

Problems have similar rather than identical problem structures

Question 23

Creative problem solving

Answer 23

Discovering a novel solution by bringing new insight to the problem

Question 24

Creative problems

Answer 24

Problems that require a new unique approach to arrive at solution

Question 25

Creative solutions

Answer 25

Do not fit the gps method to problem solving and that do not seem obvious at first thought

Question 26

Gestalt school

Answer 26

Mainly focused on perception, the factors that influence it and how it’s organised

Question 27

Insight- gestalt school

Answer 27

The sudden ‘ah-ha’ experience you get when you realise the solution to a problem that’s been bothering you.

Question 28

Creative thinking aids

Answer 28

Solution of insight problems

Question 29

Gestalt school distinguished 2 types of thinking

Answer 29

Reproductive thinking.

Productive thinking.

Question 30

Reproductive thinking

Answer 30

Involving the systematic re-use of previous experience

Question 31

Productive thinking

Answer 31

The novel restructuring of the problem using insight- more complex