Thinking & Problem Solving
What makes an effective problem solver?
read carefully, pay attention to details and inconsistencies.
What are diagrams most often used for/ what would you need a diagram for?
assembling objects (like building furniture) and representing the information into one concrete form
which cognition approach uses information in our immediate environment to create a spatial representation?
situated cognition approach
Define problem representation.
problem representation is the way you translate the elements of the problem into a different format.
Give an example of a hierarchical tree diagram.
a family tree (shows relationships between categorized items)
which cognition approach uses YOUR body and motor actions to express our abstract thoughts and knowledge?
embodied cognition approach
What are the perks of a matrix?
Hint: Matrix is a chart or grid
matrix shows all possible combinations
keeps track of multiple things = simplifying your information in complex problems
great for categorical information (female/male, good/bad)
Which problem solving state would graphs, visual images, and symbols rely on?
initial state (your first understanding the problem)
Name this research study:
Participants were given an algebra story problem; their emotions were monitored while doing the task. Results showed that the negative thoughts provoked from the story were distracting their ability to solve the problem.
Bransford and Stein (1984)
What are the three stages of problem solving?
initial state
goal state
obstacles
Solve this anagram (use your algorithmic and heuristic approaches):
A E P M R I X E N E T L
EXPERIMENTAL
you probably solved this using previous knowledge of letter combinations!
analog approach
means-ends heuristic
hill-climbing heuristic
True or False:
When we try all possibilities, this is known as doing an exhaustive search.
TRUE
What type of chart (grid) would be best to analyze data with multiple-choice questions that have predefined answers?
Example:
The pet lost in the garden is owned by Lou.
Sarah does not own a dog.
Amanda's pet was lost in the woods.
The cat was not lost in the woods or in the park.
a Matrix
True or False:
Charades uses the embodied cognition approach to express our thoughts.
TRUE