problem solving & creativity Flashcards
(41 cards)
what is the gestalt approach to problem solving? what are the 3 important focus of this approach?
gestalt approach - representing a problem in the mind and reorganizing or restructuring this representation to find solution
- Represent problem in mind
- Idea of Insight
- Functional Fixedness and Mental Set
A problem arises when?
there’s an obstacle between the current state and the desired goal, with the solution not immediately apparent
gestalt approach - representing a problem in the mind and reorganizing or restructuring this representation to find solution
an important focus of this approach is Represent problem in mind. describe.
Problems can be represented differently in the mind than how they are presented
eg. Solving the circle problem depends on recognizing ‘x’ as the diagonal of a rectangle and restructuring the representation to find the solution
gestalt approach - representing a problem in the mind and reorganizing or restructuring this representation to find solution
an important focus of this approach is the idea of insight. define. give a study demonstrating this.
Insight is a sudden comprehension or realization (“aha!”) that involves reorganizing the mental representation to yield a non-obvious interpretation (change how you’re thinking about the problem, and that shift suddenly reveals a solution or insight that wasn’t clear before)
Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987) demonstrated that insight problems are solved suddenly, with warmth ratings jumping dramatically just before the solution. Algebra problems ratings gradually increased, showing that noninsight problems are solved methodically.
insight vs noninsights problems
solutions to insight problems appear suddenly, once you reorganise the mental representation in the right way.
solutions to noninsight problems are solved methodically.
gestalt approach - representing a problem in the mind and reorganizing or restructuring this representation to find solution
an important focus of this approach is Functional Fixedness and Mental Set. define each one. the candle problem demonstrates which one?
mental set aka past experiences - preconceived notion about approaching a problem based on past experiences, blocking creative or simpler solutions
Functional fixedness - focusing on familiar functions of an object, hindering solution.
candle problem demonstrates functional fixedness, where people struggle to see the matchbox as a support rather than just a container for the tacks
there are 2 approaches to solving problems. what are they?
gestalt approach - representing a problem in the mind and reorganizing or restructuring this representation to find solution
information-processing approach - mind is like computer, solves problems by processing information step-by-step, moving from the initial state to goal state by applying rules/operations
define information-processing approach
information-processing approach - mind is like computer, solves problems by processing information step-by-step, moving from the initial state to goal state by applying rules/operations
Newell and Simon (1972) describe problem-solving as a search between problem posing and solution. which approach to problem-solving does this fall under?
information-processing approach
in the information-processing approach, problems are defined in terms of what? what is the process like?
Initial state: Conditions at the beginning
Goal state: solution
Operators: Actions that transition between initial and goal states
process: Initial State → apply operator → reach new state → Keep applying operators → eventually reach the goal state
what is a problem space? does it fall under information processing or gestalt approach to problem solving?
give an example.
All possible states in solving a problem
falls under information-processing approach
eg. Maze
1) Initial state: Start of maze
2) Goal state: Exit of maze
3) Operators: Move forward, turn left, turn right
4) problem space: all possible paths through maze
besides ________ and ________, means-end analysis is another feature of the _________ approach to problem solving.
what is means-end analysis?
give an example of a problem that involves this analysis.
initial/goal states; problem space; information-processing
Means-end analysis: Reducing difference between initial and goal states by creating sub-goals/sub-problems and solving each one
- eg. tower of hanoi (Édouard Lucas, 1883)
**easier definition of means-end analysis: Break down a big problem into smaller sub-problems (sub-goals), and then solve each one to reduce the gap between your current state and the goal state.
How a problem is stated significantly impacts its ___________.
___________ Problem: Highlighting the difference between squares (e.g., bread and butter) makes the problem easier.
_________ protocol: Participants _______ their ________ while solving a problem, revealing ________.
difficulty
Mutilated Checkerboard
Think-loud; verbalise; thoughts; shifts in perception
eg.
Problem 1 (poorly stated): “A fast-moving vehicle travels at a rate where its velocity multiplied by a certain constant equals distance over time. Find the speed.”
Problem 2 (well-stated): “A car travels 60 miles in 1 hour. What is the car’s speed?”
In a think-aloud protocol, participants working on Problem 1 might express confusion about the terms or struggle to figure out how to start, whereas in Problem 2, they might quickly understand that it’s a simple speed calculation problem.
Analogical problem solving involves what?
using the solution from a similar problem to guide the solution of a new one
Analogical problem solving = using analogical transfer to apply knowledge from a previous, similar problem to a new one. what is analogical transfer?
cognitive strategy that transfers experience from one problem to another
Target problem: The problem to be solved
Source problem: A similar problem illustrating a solution (solved before, serves as ref)
what is the Duncker’s Radiation Problem? what concept does this demonstrate?
target problem - Destroy the tumor without harming surrounding healthy tissue. High-intensity rays kill the tumor but harm healthy tissue. Low-intensity rays are safe but ineffective.
source problem - A general wants to capture a fortress. All roads are mined — large groups trigger mines. Solution: Send small groups down different roads, all converging on the fortress at once.
using source problem, solution: Send multiple low-intensity rays from different angles, converging at the tumor — strong enough to destroy it without harming other tissue.
what concept does Duncker’s Radiation Problem demonstrate?
Analogical Transfer within Analogical Problem Solving
what are the 3 steps in analogical problem solving? (Gick and Holyoak)
- Noticing the analogous relationship.
- Mapping correspondence between source and target.
- Applying the mapping to generate a parallel solution.
define analogical encoding.
Comparing two problems to determine similarities
how does analogical encoding relate to analogical transfer/analogical problem solving?
Analogical encoding - determine similarities, learn deep structural r/s btwn problems.
improves analogical transfer — more likely that someone will recognize link btwn target and source problem.
supports analogical problem solving - trains mind to spot useful analogies btwn problems.
what is the analogical paradox?
Analogies are difficult to apply in labs but are routinely used in real-world settings
In-vivo problem-solving research is the study of what
how people solve problems in real-world settings, like workplaces, classrooms, or laboratories, rather than in artificial lab experiments.
How Experts Solve Problems:
Experts: Individuals with _______ in a particular field.
Experts solve problems ______ and ________ than novices.
Experts possess more knowledge and _________ it differently.
Experts spend more time _______ problems initially.
Expertise is only an _________ within the expert’s ______.
extensive knowledge and skill
faster; more successfully
organise
analysing
advantage; specialty
on experts solving problems, Chase and Simon (1973a, 1973b) found that chess masters excel at what but what?
Chase and Simon (1973a, 1973b) found that chess masters excel at reproducing game positions but perform no better than beginners with random arrangements.
