7 problem solving

• What are the two types of problems based on knowledge requirements?

  Knowledge-lean and knowledge-rich problems
• What is a knowledge-lean problem?

  Requires little knowledge to be solved
• What is a knowledge-rich problem?

  Requires a lot of knowledge to solve
• Why is it important to study both types of problems in research?

  To gain understanding of problem-solving behavior
• What characterizes well-defined problems?

  Clear path to solution with defined states
• What characterizes ill-defined problems?

  No clear path to solution, less precise states
• Who is associated with learning by trial-and-error in behaviorist psychology?

  Thorndike
• What did Thorndike's experiment with hungry cats demonstrate?

  Learning occurs through reinforcement of solutions
• What did Wolfgang Köhler study in 1927?

  Problem solving in primates
• What does Gestalt theory suggest about problem-solving behavior?

  It involves both reproductive and productive processes
• What is reproductive problem-solving?

  Re-use of previous experience in solving problems
• What is productive problem-solving characterized by?

  Insight into the structure of the problem
• What is functional fixedness?

  Tendency to use objects only in their usual way
• What is a mental set in problem-solving?

  A bias to solve problems in a specific way
• What makes problems hard to solve?

  Functional fixedness and mental set
• What metaphor did Newell & Simon use to describe problem-solving?

  Labyrinth (maze) metaphor
• What are the states in problem space theory?

  Initial, intermediate, and goal knowledge states

  
• What are operators in problem space theory?

  Actions used to move between states
• What does problem-space describe?

  Abstract structure of the problem
• What are heuristics?

  Intuitive strategies to reduce problem-solving stages
• What is the difference between heuristics and algorithms?

  Heuristics do not guarantee a solution
• What is means-ends analysis?

  A heuristic to reduce the difference between states
• What did Sweller & Levine find about means-ends analysis?

  It was unsuccessful in solving the Tower of Hanoi
• What is the Hobbits and Orcs problem?

  A problem involving crossing a river with constraints

  
• What is the availability heuristic?

  Evaluating based on immediate examples that come to mind
• Who coined the term availability heuristic?

  Tversky & Kahneman
• What is a strategy for overcoming problem-solving obstacles?

  Working backwards
• What does working backwards involve?

  Starting from the goal state to find the path

  
• What is the role of analogies in problem-solving?

  Using similarities with past problems to find solutions
• What are the three types of similarity in analogies?

  Superficial, structural, and procedural similarity
• What did the study about the stomach tumor and general illustrate?

  Analogies can help solve complex problems
• What is restructuring in problem-solving?

  Reconceptualizing the problem to find new solutions
• What did George de Mestral invent based on his observation of burrs?

  Velcro
• What is the significance of creative thinking in problem-solving?

  It helps evaluate normal behavior and problem-solving processes
• What are the limitations of research on puzzles?

  Low ecological validity and unfamiliar problems
• What are the different types of problems in problem-solving?

  • Knowledge-lean problems
  • Knowledge-rich problems
  • Well-defined problems
  • Ill-defined problems
• What are the main problem-solving strategies discussed?

  • Breaking down the problem
  • Generating appropriate sub-goals
  • Working backwards
  • Finding an analogy
  • Restructuring
  • Creative thinking
• What are the characteristics of isomorphic problems?

  • Same formal structure
  • Different contents
  • Same relational structure
• What is the rule application hypothesis?

  • Predicts 'move' version easier than 'change' version
  • 'Change' version is harder to apply
• What are the factors influencing rule learning and application?

  • Consistency with real-life knowledge
  • Memory load of the problem
  • Ease of representing rules with mental imagery