Problem Solving Strategies
What are the "ends" in the means-ends heuristic?
The desired final result or goal state.
What did research by Bassok & Novick (2012) suggest about the means-ends heuristic?
It confirmed that people are often reluctant to move away from the goal state even when it’s necessary for the correct solution.
How can means-ends analysis be applied in real-life situations?
By breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps and systematically working through each step to achieve the desired outcome, such as in educational settings with cognitive tutors.
What are the "means" in the means-ends heuristic?
The methods or steps taken to achieve the "ends."
Who studied the Elves-and-Goblins problem in 1974 and what was found?
Greeno studied it and found that people pause to plan subproblems, with working memory highly active during these phases.
How to solve the Elves-and-Goblins problem?
The solution to the Elves-and-Goblins problem involves a strategic sequence of moves to transport creatures across a river while ensuring that Goblins never outnumber Elves on either side. This is achieved by moving pairs of creatures across the river and occasionally bringing one or two back to maintain balance.
What does the means-ends heuristic involve?
Breaking down a problem into smaller subproblems and reducing the difference between the initial state and the goal state for each subproblem
What is the General Problem Solver (GPS) and who developed it?
A computer program developed by Newell and Simon in 1972 to mimic human problem-solving using means-ends analysis.
Why was moving backward sometimes necessary in the Elves-and-Goblins problem?
Because it temporarily increased the difference between the initial state and the goal state, which was crucial for finding the correct solution.
What are the two main parts of the means-ends heuristic?
Dividing the problem into subproblems and reducing the difference between the initial state and the goal state for each subproblem.
What are cognitive tutors and who developed them?
Educational programs developed by John Anderson and colleagues that use means-ends analysis to help high school students with problem-solving in subjects like math.
What is the role of working memory in the means-ends heuristic?
Working memory is highly active when planning sequences of moves and solving subproblems.
Why is the means-ends heuristic considered effective and flexible?
Because it allows for breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and systematically working towards a solution.
How did Newell and Simon’s work impact cognitive psychology?
By developing the General Problem Solver, they significantly advanced the understanding of human symbolic behavior and problem-solving processes.
Describe the practical example involving a student's skirt hem on chapter 11 from the textbook
The student divided her problem into identifying an object to fix the hem (a stapler) and locating the object (borrowing it from Dr. Matlin)