PSYC 256 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: The Skyscrapers (Wrestling), Functional Fixedness, Rebus
13 Jun 2018
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PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem Solving Cycle
Meta Mindset Model
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Types of Problems
• Well-defined
o Clearly specified operators
o All relevant information available
o Clear goal-state
• Ill-defined
o Goal-state and constraints unclear
o Any information may (or may not) be relevant
Museum Curator Problem
• Coin wouldn’t say BC
Cheap Necklace Problem
Solving Problems: Insight
• Insight
o Deep, useful understanding of the nature of a difficult problem
o Thought to be necessary to find creative solutions to problems
o But, many argue problem solving is an incremental process, not a sudden
realization
• Non-insight Problems:
o Likely solved through incremental processes
o Require analytical, step-by-step processing
• Insight Problems:
o Those where solution appears suddenly
The Nine-Dot Problem
o Connect all 9 dots
o Use only 4 lines
o Do not lift your pencil from the page after you begin drawing
• Requires extending lines beyond boundary
• Mental set of staying in boundary prevents successful solution
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Document Summary
Types of problems: well-defined, clearly specified operators, all relevant information available, clear goal-state. Ill-defined: goal-state and constraints unclear, any information may (or may not) be relevant. Museum curator problem: coin wouldn"t say (cid:498)(cid:887)(cid:886)(cid:886) bc(cid:499) Insight problems: those where solution appears suddenly. The nine-dot problem: connect all 9 dots, use only 4 lines, do not lift your pencil from the page after you begin drawing, requires extending lines beyond boundary, mental set of staying in boundary prevents successful solution. Solving problems: creativity: wallas (1926) suggested that processes leading up to creative breakthrough can be described in four stages, preparation, gather information and makes initial attempts at problem solution. Incubation: productive inactivity, occurs when initial attempts at solution are stymied. Illumination: after incubation, arrive at important realization or understanding, verification, assess whether solution will actually work. Solving problems: insight: key assumption about insightful problem solving, once mental set is removed, successful solution should be obvious.
