Thought and Language - Lecture Five

Question 1

Problem solving

Answer 1

Overcoming an obstacle to reach a goal, this includes the procedures to get from the start to end

Question 2

Overcoming an obstacle to reach a goal in steps

Answer 2

1. Understand the problem
2. Generate possible solutions (hypotheses)
3. Test these solutions
4. Evaluate results, and revise if necessary

Question 3

General strategies for problem solving and making decisions

Answer 3

Trial and error, algorithm, and heuristics (means-end analysis)

Question 4

Use of an algorithm

Answer 4

A rule that guarantees a solution and useful for clearly defined problems

Question 5

Heuristic

Answer 5

Strategy that doesn’t guarantee a solution, but they often work, they save time, and many problems don’t have guaranteed solutions

Question 6

Example of heuristic

Answer 6

Anagram of imbrepo

Question 7

Means-end analysis

Answer 7

Work step-by-step to get closer to your goal as you solve the problem, monitor each step to see how much closer you are to your goal. This is less complex as it has sub-steps and therefore sub-goals.

Question 8

Hill climbing

Answer 8

Change the present state of the problem so that you are one step closer to solving the problem

Question 9

Divergent thinking

Answer 9

Change the representation of problem- thinking outside of the box

Question 10

Why apply an analogy?

Answer 10

It allows us to think deeper into a problem

Question 11

Obstacles to problem solving

Answer 11

Mental set are the habits and assumptions you bring to solving a problem, this can hinder your problem solving

Question 12

Overcoming obstacles

Answer 12

Take a break - it might release you from a. mental set and see strategies you weren’t able to see before
Practice divergent thinking, it can foster creativity