PSYCH101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Functional Fixedness, Problem Solving, Belief Perseverance

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Paul Wehr

Document Summary

Module 8. 2 problem solving, judgement, and decision making. Problem solving: accomplishing a goal when the solution or the path to the solution is not clear. Algorithms: problem solving strategies based on a series of rules. : very logical and follow a set of steps, usually in a preset order. Heuristics: problem solving strategies that stem from prior experiences and provide an educated guess as to what is the most likely solution. : accurate and allow us to find solutions and to make decisions quickly. : more subjective, intuitive and quicker than algorithms. Mental set: a cognitive obstacle that occurs when an individual attempts to apply a routine solution to what is actually a new type of problem. : occurs when an individual applies the routine solution when a much easier solution is possible. Functional fixedness: which occurs when an individual identifies an object or technique that could potentially solve a problem, but can think of only its most obvious function.