PSYCH 2H03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Functional Fixedness, Factor Analysis, Divergent Thinking

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 2H03
• Professor: Cheryl Chow

Document Summary

Problem space: the set of all states that can be reached in solving a problem. You can"t possibly explore every states to solve the problem in real life -- need to narrow your search. Problem solving heuristic helps us narrow our search to solve the problems. Hill climbing strategy: at each points, you simply choose the option that moves you in the direction of your goals. Helpful but limited, because many problem requires you to move away from the goal sometimes. People have difficulties moving backward in order to move forward. Means end analysis: people are guided by steps by steps, compare the current state and the goal state, and reduce the distance. Translate the problem into mental image or a picture sometimes better help to solve the problem. Based on the experience that you solved other problems in the past, you solve new problems by means of an analogy of other already solved problems.