Vocabulary
Restrictions that make it difficult to go from the initial to the goal state.
Obstacle
What is a good way to better understand the problem?
Construct a mental representation.
A cognitive shortcut or a general rule.
Heuristic
Consistently exceptional skill and performance on representative tasks for a particular area.
Expertise
What does research say about gender differences in problem-solving?
In general, research shows gender similarities in problem-solving skills.
Cognitive process of going beyond the information you were given, so you can reach a goal.
Thinking
Identifying and then attending to the most relevant information.
Paying attention
Using a solution to a similar, earlier problem to help in solving a new problem
The analogy approach.
Tendency to assign fixed functions to an object which causes us to fail to think about an object in a different way that could help us solve the problem.
Functional fixedness
A problem that initially seems impossible to solve but then an alternative approach suddenly bursts into consciousness.
Insight problem
The way you translate the elements of the problem into a different format.
Problem representation
How to proceed like an effective problem solver?
You need to read the description of a problem very carefully and pay particular attention to inconsistencies.
A set of problems that have the same underlying structures and solutions but different details.
Problem isomorphs
Using the same method you used to solve similar problems in the past, even though you could solve the problem using a different, easier method.
Mental set
What branch of psychology emphasizes organization?
Gestalt psychology
A chart or a grid that shows all possible combinations of items.
Matrix
What is a common error when translating to errors?
Oversimplifying
What are the 3 types of heuristics?
1. The analogy Approach.
2. The Means-End Heuristic.
3. The Hill-Climbing Heuristic.
Why experts perform better?
Because they use problem-solving strategies, train their speed and accuracy and also work on developing metacognitive skills.
Measuring something in terms of the number of different responses made to a test item.
Divergent solution
Instructions for assembling objects and representing abstract information in a concrete form.
Diagram
The use of information in our immediate environment to create spatial representations.
Situated cognition approach
In what consists the Hill-Climbing heuristic?
In that, when you reach a choice point, you'll have to choose the alternative that seems to lead most directly or most quickly toward your goal.
What underlies functional fixedness?
Overactive top-down processing as it relates to manipulating objects.
Motivation to work on a task for its own sake, because you find it interesting, challenging, exciting, or personally challenging.
Intrinsic motivation