Basics of Problem Solving
This is the cognitive process that goes beyond the information given to reach a goal.
What is thinking?...
Translating words into these helps solve algebra style problems.
What are symbols?...
A step by step procedure guaranteed to solve a problem.
What is an algorithm?...
Solving problems using information from your immediate environment.
What is situated cognition?...
In the bus driver exercise, this key detail was needed to answer correctly.
What is the bus driver’s name?...
Problem solving is used when this is not immediately obvious.
What is the solution?...
A chart showing all possible combinations of items in a complex problem.
What is a matrix?...
A shortcut method used to solve problems efficiently, like analogies or Means End Heuristic.
What is a heuristic?...
Using your body or motor actions to express abstract thoughts during problem solving.
What is embodied cognition?...
Divided attention and competing thoughts can prevent you from doing this effectively.
What is paying attention?...
The three components of a problem are initial state, goal state, and this.
What are obstacles?...
A tree like diagram used to show categorized options and relationships.
What is a hierarchical tree diagram?...
A heuristic where you focus on reducing the distance to the goal at each step.
What is the Hill Climbing Heuristic?...
This approach emphasizes the role of context in real life problem solving.
What is ecological validity?...
Mistakes in problem solving often happen when we misremember the problem or do this.
What is oversimplifying?...
The first step in solving a problem effectively is to do this carefully to notice inconsistencies.
What is paying attention?...
This type of diagram uses graphs to show relationships or changes in data.
What is a graph?...
Comparing a new problem to a previously solved similar problem is called this.
What is using an analogy?...
Mental rotation or physical tasks are solved more accurately when using this approach.
What is embodied cognition?...
Flipping the roles of variables when translating a word problem into symbols is an example of this.
What is a symbolic error?...
A well organized structure in your mind that helps you understand and solve a problem.
What is a mental representation?...
Visualizing problems beyond concrete representations, useful for strong visual imagery skills.
What are visual images?...
Breaking a problem into smaller sub goals to reduce the difference between current and goal state.
What is the Means End Heuristic?...
A superhero escaping from prison is an example of applying this type of problem solving approach.
What is situated cognition?...
Negative thoughts while solving a problem can distract from this research identified skill.
What is effective problem solving?...