PSY 308 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Sensemaking, Random Search, Functional Fixedness

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 308
• Professor: Dana Williams

Document Summary

A problem: problems are defined as states where there is a gap or barrier between where the problem-solver is and where she/he wants to be. Decision-making you have multiple choices from which to select the best solution. Problem-solving you need to generate the options yourself because no (good) options are readily available. Creativity options you generate are novel and are also good solutions. Anatomy of a problem: newell and simon (1972) conceptualized all problems as being composed of the same basic parts or structures: Initial state: the starting or beginning place in a problem. A problem is solved when the problem-solver can find paths from the initial state to the goal. Goal state: the desired end state in a problem. When a problem-solver finds paths to the goal, the problem is solved. Routes that lead from the initial state to the goal state in a problem.