PSYC105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Retina, Nextdoor, Deodorant
PSYCH105 - CRITICAL THINKING IN PSYCHOLOGY
Wk. 2 - Problem Solving
Problems arise when we have a goal but do not know how to reach it – Karl Dunker.
Need to think to process from existing situation to desired goal.
A problem is when there is no obvious solution.
Cognitive process to achieve a goal when no solution method is obvious to the
problem solver.
Problem solving is:
A process
Problem presentation
Problem solution
Planning, execution, monitoring
Directed by goals
Personally thing, what may be problems to one is not to another. It a tailored
thing.
5-step approach;
1. Clearly define the problem
2. Consider alternatives
3. Gather relevant information
4. Compare and contrast options
5. Evaluate outcome
Force Field Analysis – Kurt Lewin
Lose Weight Example:
Current state: 90kg - Ideal state: 70kg
Driving forces
Feel better about myself (2)
Stay alive for my children (5)
More energy at work (1)
Perform better in soccer team (2)
Total = 10
Restraining Forces
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Work Long Hours (4)
Lack of access to gym (3)
Sweet tooth (2)
Easy access to unhealthy food (1)
Total = 10
As these two forces are equal, you are in equilibrium, as such one of the forces needs
to be either strengthened or weakened.
Barriers
Mental Set
Persistent use of strategies that have worked in the past
- i.e. tried and true
Specific problem requires specific strategy
Functional Fixedness
Tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ksgaup4zqz0
Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking
Guilford 1967
Convergent thinking
Ability to apply appropriate rules
Attempt to find single best answer
Conventional, non-creative thinking – 2+2 = ?
Divergent thinking
Flexible
Producing Many and varied ideas
Defer judgement
A man who lived on the 10th floor of an apartment building took the elevator to the
ground floor every summer morning in order to get to work. When coming home in
the late afternoon, the man took the elevator to the 5th floor and walked up the stairs
to his apartment on the 10th floor. However, on rainy days, the man took the elevator
all the way to 10.
How do you explain this behavior?
- Stairs have no shelter/outside so he would get rained on. Due to the rain he ran home
from work to get out od the rain quicker instead of walking so he has had enough
exercise for the day.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Problems arise when we have a goal but do not know how to reach it karl dunker. Need to think to process from existing situation to desired goal. A problem is when there is no obvious solution. Cognitive process to achieve a goal when no solution method is obvious to the problem solver. Personally thing, what may be problems to one is not to another. 5-step approach: clearly define the problem, consider alternatives, gather relevant information, compare and contrast options, evaluate outcome. As these two forces are equal, you are in equilibrium, as such one of the forces needs to be either strengthened or weakened. Persistent use of strategies that have worked in the past. Tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions. A man who lived on the 10th floor of an apartment building took the elevator to the ground floor every summer morning in order to get to work.
