Problem-Solving & Creativity PDF

Problem-Solving & Creativity Unit 13 Unit 13: Problem-Solving and Creativity Lecture Outline What is a problem? How do I solve my problems? What holds me back from solving my problems? What is creativity? The Four Stages of Creativity How is creativity...

Problem-Solving & Creativity Unit 13 Unit 13: Problem-Solving and Creativity Lecture Outline What is a problem? How do I solve my problems? What holds me back from solving my problems? What is creativity? The Four Stages of Creativity How is creativity tested? Can I become more creative than I currently am? What is a problem?  Components of problem-solving Initial state—Starting knowledge and resources Goal state—The desired state you are working toward Operators —Available tools or actions Path constraints—Limits to operations General Problem-Solving Methods Problem: A gap or barrier between an initial state (present state) & goal state (desired state) Problem Solving: The process of overcoming obstacles to reach the goal state Identify & Define the Problem Ask Qs about the problem What relationships might exist Try different perspectives between the variables in the initial state, operators, and goal state? Pictures and Diagrams Restructuring - Decide how to re- Operationally define each represent the initial and goal component states (new frame) Separate opinion v. concrete Can the problem be broken down? evidence If so, address each sub- problem and goal How do I solve my problems?  Problem-solving strategies Strategies for solution paths Heuristics Algorithms Analogies Judgment/Evaluation Select the solution path Evaluate for predicted success Alignment with goals Practicality/ feasibility with respect to available resources  Problem-solving strategies Strategies for solution paths Heuristics Algorithms Analogies  Problem-solving strategies: Heuristics Hill-climbing strategy – The most direct path to a goal Hill-climbing strategy Problem-solving strategies: Heuristics Means-end heuristic Breaking the problem into sub-problems, each with its own sub-goal Each sub-goal is a step to the ultimate goal of the problem  Hobbits and Orcs A tale of two heuristics : hill climbing & means end  Initial State: People and a river Goal State: Bring all three orcs and all three hobbits to the other side of the river Operators: We have a boat Path Constraints: How do we get If there are more orcs than hobbits on one everyone to this side? side of the river, the orcs will eat the hobbits Boat: Maximum of two individuals Minimum of one individual Why is this problem so difficult? Strict adherence to hill climbing Solution requires a more flexible strategy Means-end analysis Allows for sub-goals e.g., “Move all the hobbits across the river first” to maximize one’s likelihood of solving a problem.  Problem-solving strategies Strategies for solution paths Heuristics Algorithms Analogies Problem-solving strategies: Algorithms Algorithms: solve problems systematically (step by step procedure) Less-efficient than heuristics Always produce solution E.g. Solving anagrams Guaranteed solution?? Sign me up! Not so fast… problem space computational complexity  Problem-solving strategies: Algorithms Problem space: All possible solution paths Algorithms = entire problem space Heuristics = only part Computational complexity: As problem space  Problem-solving strategies Strategies for solution paths Heuristics Algorithms Analogies  Problem-solving strategies: Analogies Analogical transfer Relies on experience Past problem-solving methods can be transferred (or used) to solve other problems with similar structure This strategy may be challenging  Problem-solving strategies: Analogies Seeing the analogy is important Important to look beyond superficial features of a problem (surface structure) and think about the underlying logic (deep structure).  Problem-solving strategies: Analogies More experience helps people identify the underlying logic (deep structure) of the problem Experts need less hints to see the underlying logic They also use more subgoals Problem-solving strategies: Analogies How to improve your analogy use: Relational mindset – emphasize underlying deep structure Asking Qs and generating own information helps! What holds me back from solving my problems? Functional fixedness Einstellung/Problem-solving set Functional fixedness - to be rigid in thinking about an object’s (physical tool) function It limits our Operators and increases Constraints Einstellung/Problem-solving set One’s predisposition (attitude/belief/habits) to solve a problem in a specific way  Einstellung/Problem-solving set like functional fixedness, but for how you approach a problem People are resistant to new approaches Einstellung/Problem-solving set Demonstrated by the “nine dot” problem. Task: Draw four straight lines, passing through all nine dots, without lifting your pencil from the page.  Einstellung/Problem-solving set Einstellung/Problem-solving set is like a heuristic Helps to reduce options May also eliminate possible solutions  Creativity Creativity is important to problem solving and vice versa What is creativity? To produce new, original work  Four C Model of Creativity mini-c: Interpretive creativity “Transformative learning" involving "personally meaningful interpretations of experiences, actions, and insights" Judge & Impact: self little-c: Everyday creativity Everyday problem-solving and creative expression and often integrates domain-specific knowledge and skills Judge & Impact: family/group/team  Four C Model of Creativity Pro-c: Professional creativity Exhibited by people who are professionally or vocationally creative Judge & Impact: field/domain/industry Big-C: Eminent creativity Creativity considered great in the given field Judge & Impact: society/world Creativity Potential “prerequisites” for exceptional BIG-C creativity 1. Knowledge and skill in the domain (we can all improve on this!) 2. Certain intellectual capacities and personality traits Willing to take risks; ignore criticism; tolerate ambiguity; divergent inclined 3. A conducive social, cultural, and historical context – be in the right place at right time The Four Stages of Creativity Wallas (1926): The four stages of creativity 1. Preparation - Identify & Define the Problem 2. Incubation* – Set problem aside, work unconsciously 3. Illumination* - new insight/idea emerges; Eureka! 4. Verification – Apply the new insights, solve the problem  PROBLEM: Creativity: Stage 2: Incubation Stage 2: Incubation Studies on incubation: unreliable, mixed So does it work? Well, sometimes, but we don’t know why. Maybe sleep on it Possible explanations for Incubation: new information interacting with spreading activation, new problem-solving set, forgetting, release of frustration  PROBLEM: Creativity: Stage 3: Illumination Stage 3: Illumination Problem: Feeling of illumination/insight not guarantee of solution Metcalfe (1986) Task: Rate degree of “warmth” (e.g. how close you are to the answer.) PROBLEM: Creativity: Stage 3: Illumination Warmth is a bit higher for the wrong solution Warmth is high for both the wrong and right answers! Insight – the moment of illumination may simply refer to finding a new approach, not necessarily the correct solution How is creativity tested? How is creativity tested? Convergent thinking: Divergent thinking: Finding connections Moving one’s thoughts in between seemingly distinct novel, unanticipated ideas directions Highly creative people are divergent thinkers Think outside the box Not limited by functional fixedness Not limited by Problem- solving set Measuring Creativity: Convergent Thinking Remote Associates Test (RAT) (Mednick & Mednick, 1967) Or how free wheeling is your semantic network? Cat sleep board Ship outer crawl Ball storm man Family apple house Attorney self spending River note blood  Measuring Creativity: Divergent Thinking The two-string problem: How can we tie the two rope ends together? Overcome functional fixedness  Measuring Creativity: Divergent Thinking Alternative Use Task (AUT) Think of new uses for simple objects or new ways to think about familiar ideas How many different uses for a brick? Can I become more creative than I currently am? Creativity Anyone can be more creative It takes practice, experience, and knowledge