Problem Solving Strategies Overview

Thought - Problem Solving

• Problem solving involves a four-stage process:
  • Representing and interpreting the problem
  • Generating possible solutions
  • Testing solutions, seeking to disprove some
  • Evaluating the results, revising previous steps, if necessary
• Problem solving involves an initial state and a goal state; breaking the problem into subgoals makes achieving the goal easier

Problem Solving Strategies: Weak Methods

• Difference-reduction method: Reduces the gap between the current state and the goal state by setting up subgoals. Subgoals, when achieved, bring the problem closer to the goal.
• Means-end analysis: Identifying differences between the current situation and the desired goal, making changes to reduce those differences. This sophisticated approach allows actions that may temporarily worsen the situation, but ultimately move toward the goal.

Problem Solving Strategies: Weak Methods (continued)

• Working backward: Reasoning from the goal to achievable subgoals. Gradually moving toward more readily achievable subgoals, until a readily obtainable subgoal is reached.

The Candle Problem

• A classic problem illustrating problem-solving difficulties related to functional fixedness.

Thought in Action: Problem Solving

• Visual and propositional representations are useful in problem solving.
  • Visual representation is better suited for some problems.
  • Propositional representation may be better for other types of problems.
  • Imaginal thought uses analogical representations similar to perception.
  • Propositional thought relies on symbolic representations.

Problem Solving: Representing the Problem

• Finding a useful representation of a problem is crucial for successful solution.
• Functional fixedness: This bias restricts the use of objects to their conventional roles.
• Restructuring problems, thinking of them differently and considering analogies can lead to innovative and creative solutions.

Problem Solving: Expert vs Novice

• Experts approach problems qualitatively differently than novices.
  • Experts have a wider range of representations and more specific ones in memory.
  • Experts often represent novel situations based on general principles or structural features of solutions rather than superficial features.
  • Experts usually plan their approach before acting, using a forward direction strategy (moving from given problem information to a solution).
  • Novices often use a backward strategy.

The Stroop Effect

• The Stroop effect demonstrates interference between automatic reading and color naming tasks.

Problem Solving: Automaticity

• Automatic processes occur without conscious control.
• Unconscious thought is an active process, goal-directed, and leads to different information representations, potentially improving complex decision-making.
• Experience makes many cognitive processes automatic, including reading.

Pre-Workout Meal Ideas

• This section lists various pre-workout meal options.

Explore the essential strategies involved in problem solving, including the four-stage process and various weak methods such as difference-reduction and means-end analysis. Understand how these approaches can guide you in breaking down problems into manageable subgoals to efficiently achieve your desired outcomes.