Chapter 12ProblemSolving And ReasoningSome Questions To
Chapter 12
Problem-Solving and Reasoning
Some Questions to Consider
• What makes a problem hard?
• Is there anything special about problems that
•
•
seem to be solved in a flash of “insight”?
How can analogies be used to help solve problems? How do experts in a field solve problems differently than nonexperts?
What Is a Problem?
• Obstacle between a present state and a goal
• Not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle
What Is a Problem?
• Well-defined: correct answer, certain procedures will lead to solution
• Ill-defined: path to solution is unclear, no one
“correct” answer
Gestalt Approach
• Representing a problem in the mind
• Restructuring: changes the problem’s representation – Kohler’s “circle” problem
Caption: The circle problem.
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Sudden realization of a problem’s solution
Caption: (a) Triangle problem and (b) chain problem for “Two
Insight Problems” demonstration.
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987)
– Insight: triangle problem, chain problem
– Noninsight: algebra
– Warmth judgments every 15 seconds
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987)
– Insight problems solved suddenly
– Noninsight problems solved gradually
Caption: Results of Metcalfe and Wiebe’s (1987) experiment showing how participants judged how close they were to solving insight problems and algebra problems for the minute just before solving the problems.
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Functional fixedness: restricting use of an object to its familiar functions
– Candle problem: seeing boxes as containers inhibited using them as supports
– Two-string problem: function of pliers gets in the way of seeing them as a weight
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Functional fixedness: the elevator riddle
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Situationally produced mental set
– Situation influences approach to problem
– Water-jug problem: given mental set inhibited participants from using simpler
solution
Problem-Solving and Reasoning
Some Questions to Consider
• What makes a problem hard?
• Is there anything special about problems that
•
•
seem to be solved in a flash of “insight”?
How can analogies be used to help solve problems? How do experts in a field solve problems differently than nonexperts?
What Is a Problem?
• Obstacle between a present state and a goal
• Not immediately obvious how to get around the obstacle
What Is a Problem?
• Well-defined: correct answer, certain procedures will lead to solution
• Ill-defined: path to solution is unclear, no one
“correct” answer
Gestalt Approach
• Representing a problem in the mind
• Restructuring: changes the problem’s representation – Kohler’s “circle” problem
Caption: The circle problem.
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Sudden realization of a problem’s solution
Caption: (a) Triangle problem and (b) chain problem for “Two
Insight Problems” demonstration.
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987)
– Insight: triangle problem, chain problem
– Noninsight: algebra
– Warmth judgments every 15 seconds
Insight in Problem-Solving
• Metcalfe and Wiebe (1987)
– Insight problems solved suddenly
– Noninsight problems solved gradually
Caption: Results of Metcalfe and Wiebe’s (1987) experiment showing how participants judged how close they were to solving insight problems and algebra problems for the minute just before solving the problems.
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Functional fixedness: restricting use of an object to its familiar functions
– Candle problem: seeing boxes as containers inhibited using them as supports
– Two-string problem: function of pliers gets in the way of seeing them as a weight
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Functional fixedness: the elevator riddle
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
• Situationally produced mental set
– Situation influences approach to problem
– Water-jug problem: given mental set inhibited participants from using simpler
solution