week 9, ch 13 Problem Solving and Intelligence Flashcards
Autistic Savant
someone with mental disability, yet with remarkable talent
Problem Solving
A search of moves towards your goal.
Problem Space
all sets of all states which may be reached in solving the problem. (eg chess move permutations).
Heuristic
a problem-solving strategy which is efficient, but has an occasional error. In problem solving, use of an heuristic, narrows one’s search through the problem space, and hopefully still leads to the solution.
Hill-Climbing Strategy
A Heuristic which always picks the path which seems to take you where you want to go. eg. “Which path leads to the mountain top?” This strategy will at every fork, pick the path which seems to head upwards BUT the chosen path may then meander out or actually start going downwards This strategy is oblivious to the reasoning that sometimes one must go backwards or sideways in order to achieve one’s ultimate goal.
Means-End Analysis
type of heuristic which compares current -state, to goal-state adn describes the differences; ie what is necessary to turn current into goal? Breaks problem into multiple smaller components and what is needed at each step.
Illustrations
can be another strategy that help solve problems
Analogies
can also help to solve problems. Uses a previous solved problem to adapt its strategy to current situation.Uninstructed use of analogies is quite rare. In order for an analogy to be useful, a problem’s deeper structure must be understood. If can use analogies, tend to be much better at solving the problem. Experts use analogies frequently.
TEST YOURSELF
- Why do people seem to under-use analogies in problem solving?
- What are some of the advantages that expert problem solvers have, compared to non experts?
- Under-use of analogies tends to come from lack of deeper understanding of topic, unfamiliarity with technique, and lack of knowledge organisation which would facilitate analogies.
- experts have vastly more domain knowledge, which is well ordered and has many links to other information, have solved many problems in past, memory arranged in higher-order units (processing is faster and cross-linked),
TEST YOURSELF
- Why do people seem to under-use analogies in problem solving?
- What are some of the advantages that expert problem solvers have, compared to non experts?
- Under-use of analogies tends to come from lack of deeper understanding of topic, unfamiliarity with technique, and lack of knowledge organisation which would facilitate analogies.
- experts have vastly more domain knowledge, which is well ordered and has many links to other information, have solved many problems in past, memory arranged in higher-order units (processing is faster and cross-linked),
Defining the problem
Sometimes problems are very easy to define, but sometimes whilst the end point is defined, the path there is quite obscured. It is best to break this into sub-parts to further define this. Experts tend to do this.
Functional Fixedness
the tendency to be rigid in one’s thinking, in regards to an object’s function (eg, a box can be a container, but it may also be a platform etc). How an object is presented, can influence how we think about it and whether we are fixed or adaptive.
Problem Solving Set
the collection of beliefs and assumptions a person makes about the problem and what can be feasibly done to solve it. Such a set usually stands us in good stead, but occasionally prevents us from being able to see a different approach as a valid solution.
Creativity
readily producing novel solutions/expressions. Pre-requisites for creativity masters seem to be:
a) have great knowledge in certain area
b) have great skills in certain area
c) willingness to take risks
d) willingness to ignore criticism
e) ability to be able to tolerate ambiguous findings
f) inclination not to “follow the crowd”
Highly creative individuals tend to work hard on their work for the pure pleasure of it. Highly creative individuals have also tended to be in the right place at the right time (or is that just the ones who are famous and remembered????)
Creativity according to Wallas
A) Preparation- gather info and some work on problem.
B) Incubation-set the problem aside but still doing some”unconscious” work on it.
C) Illumination-new idea emerges
D) Verification-confirming new idea works.
However, the process is arguable and often seems like a gradual process of many mini insights and much back and forth trying, failing and ree-trying.
Research is mixed on whether incubation (taking a breather) is better, or if better to keep plugging away.
Convergent Thinking
An ability to see how seemingly distinct ideas might be connected. E.g.. test by given 3 words: find the word which can be linked to them all.
Both convergent and divergent may be utilised in creative thinking.
Divergent Thinking
An ability to move thoughts into novel areas. E.g. test by asking “5 names taken at random from phone book: how many different ways can they be ordered? “ e.g. by number of syllables, by if even or odd number of vowels, whether 3rd letter is in the last third of the alphabet….
TEST YOURSELF
- What does research tell us about whether incubation truly helps problem solving?
- What does research tell us is really going on in the “Aha” moment of illumination?
- Research is divided on this one. Possibly a break is useful simply in allowing frustration dissipation. Either strategy may actually suit an individual better or worse.
- An increase in gamma band brain activity. Also described as a feeling of warmth, by participants. This was the same whether turned out to be correct or not, still seeemed to have experienced progresss.
IQ
Intelligence Quotient. Original measure of intelligence, designed by Alfred Binet. Tests various aspects of cognition. Originally was a ratio between “mental age” (level obtained on test) and actual age. Then x100 to get score. Modern forms of the test no longer expressed as a ratio. Tests verbal acuity, spatial acuity and mathematical acuity.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale
For children (WISC) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), most common modern intelligence test. Also has various sub components. Tests general knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and speed of intellectual processing.
Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test
Is an intelligence test which tests one’s ability to analyze figures and detect patterns. Designed to minimise requirement for verbal skills or background knowledge.
Reliability
How consistent a measure is. To be highly reliable, should get approx same result when subsequently re-testing an individual.
Intelligence tests have a high test-retest reliability. Can accurately predict a person’s future IQ scores, from a childhood reading BUT things can change if substantive environmental change.
Validity
Whether test measures what is supposed to. Recognised intelligence tests tend to have high validity, with scores having a .50 minimum correlation with grade point average. IQ can also be correlated to job performance and careers. Obviously other factors can influence performances and grades too. Higher IQ people are also less likely to end up in jail, or be a pregnant teen, or die from a motor vehicle accident, and more likely to be able to follow doctor’s instructions etc.
BUT obviously, IQ is never an absolute predictor of how life will unfold.
Hierarchical Model of Intelligence
Suggests that we have a general intelligence (g) which contributes to abilities in all areas of intelligence, but also have category intelligences and specialised intelligences. Will tend to be strong across specialties within same category. Categories include (but are not limited to); linguistic ability, numerical ability and spatial ability. There are more than 80 areas of specialised intelligence recognised.
