Topic 3: Thinking Reasoning

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Created by
Mark Ely

Cards (12)

  • Reasoning the process by which we use the knowledge we have to draw
    conclusions or infer something new about the domain of
    interest.
    • Types of Reasoning
    o Inductive
    o Deductive
    o Abductive
  • Inductive Reasoning
    Induction:
    • is a method of drawing
    conclusions by going from
    the specific to the general.
    • generalize from cases seen
    to cases unseen
    • e.g. all elephants we have seen have trunks
    therefore all elephants have trunks.
  • Deductive Reasoning
    Deduction:
    • is a logical approach where
    you progress from general
    ideas to specific conclusions.
    • derive logically necessary
    conclusion from given
    premises.
  • Abductive Reasoning

    • reasoning from event to cause
    Unreliable:
    • can lead to false explanations
  • Problem Solving
    Process of finding solution to unfamiliar task using knowledge.
    • Several theories.
    • Gestalt Theory
    o problem solving both productive and reproductive.
    o Productive involves insight and restructuring of the
    problem.
    o Reproductive draws on previous experience.
    o “Functional Fixedness” is a gestalt term referring to and
    when learning or past experience impedes problem
    solving.
  • Problem space theory
    o problem space comprises problem states
    o problem solving involves generating states using legal operators
    o heuristics may be employed to select operators
    e.g. means-ends analysis
    o operates within human information processing system
    e.g. STM limits etc.
    o largely applied to problem solving in well-defined areas
    e.g. puzzles rather than knowledge intensive areas
  • Analogy
    o analogical mapping:
    • novel problems in new domain
    • use knowledge of similar problem from similar domain
    o analogical mapping difficult if domains are semantically different
    Skill acquisition
    o skilled activity characterized by chunking
    • lot of information is chunked to optimize short-term memory
    o conceptual rather than superficial grouping of problems
    o information is structured more effectively
  • Types of errors
    SLIPS
    o right intention, but failed to do it right
    o causes: poor physical skills, inattention etc.
    o change to aspect of skilled behavior can cause slip
    MISTAKES
    o wrong intention
    o cause: incorrect understanding
    o humans create mental models to explain behavior.
    o if wrong (different from actual system) errors can occur
  • Various theories of how emotion works
    • James-Lange: emotion is our interpretation of a
    physiological response to a stimuli
    • Cannon: emotion is a psychological response to a
    stimuli
    • Schacter-Singer: emotion is the result of our
    evaluation of our physiological responses, in the light
    of the whole situation we are in
    Emotion clearly involves both cognitive and physical responses
    to stimuli
  • The biological response to physical stimuli is called
    affect
    • Affect influences how we respond to situations
    o positive → creative problem solving
    o negative → narrow thinking
    “Negative affect can make it harder to do even easy tasks;
    positive affect can make it easier to do difficult tasks”
    (Donald Norman)
  • • Implications for interface design
    o stress will increase the difficulty of problem solving
    o relaxed users will be more forgiving of
    shortcomings in design
    o aesthetically pleasing and rewarding interfaces will
    increase positive affect
  • Individual Differences
    • Long Term
    – sex, physical and intellectual abilities
    • Short Term
    – effect of stress or fatigue
    • Changing
    – age