5 factors:
Bottom-up processing
emphasizes information from our environment
T/F: Experts frequently use bottom-up processing to excel at their tasks
FALSE
Experts have highly developed top-down processing which allows them to excel in their particular areas
How does a mental set affect your problem solving?
a. it gives you the most effective solution
b. it helps you to be creative
c. it forces you to use bottom-up processing
d. it stops you from thinking of the most effective solution
D. it stops you from thinking of the most effective solution
When we have a mental set, we use the same solution as we did with previous problems which causes us to stop thinking and so we cannot find a more effective solution
T/F: Functional Fixedness involves an overactive top-down processing
TRUE
In functional fixedness, we know an object has a particular use so we can't find new ways to use the object because we are relying solely on our previous knowledge.
Top-down processing
emphasizes prior knowledge
T/F: Experts are better than novices at using problem solving strategies in their areas of expertise as well as other areas in general.
Experts are better a using problem solving strategies in their area of expertise, but that ability doesn't necessarily transfer to other areas
Mental sets involve which thinking process?
a. bottom-up processing
b. top-down processing
c. both bottom-up and top-down
d. neither
B. top-down processing
Mental sets involve an overactive top-down processing. We rely too much on previous experience that we do not use current information to look for other solutions
T/F: Functional Fixedness causes a lot of problems in our everyday lives.
FALSE
While it can causes us to not see a potential creative solution, we usually have enough a variety of tools and objects that we are able to find a solution.
expertise
consistently exceptional skill and performance in a particular area
T/F: Experts have a better knowledge base and memory regarding their area of expertise than novices
TRUE
This increased knowledge and schemas help experts excel in their fields
According to Dweck (2006), mental sets are related to a concept called "fixed mindsets" which means:
a. you believe you can solve any problem if you focus
b. you believe you have a fixed amount of intelligence
c. you believe one solution fixes all (all problems only have one solution)
d. you constantly search for different ways to solve problems
A "fixed mindset" is one where you believe you have a fixed amount of intelligence and no amount of effort can change that.
Example of Functional Fixedness
You need to sweep something up but you only have a brush and a piece of cardboard. You think you can only use a broom and dustpan so you do not see how you could use the brush and cardboard to sweep the floor.
mental set
using the same method you used to solve similar past problems, even though you could solve the problem using a different, easier method
T/F: Experts can develop photographic memory in their field after years of experience. This explains how a chess expert can remember the exact arrangement of chess pieces.
FALSE
Research does not fully support that a person can even have a photographic memory. Chess players are able to remember the arrangement of chess pieces because it fits a schema
Someone with a growth mindset would have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:
a. believes intelligence and abilities can be developed
b. sees failure as an opportunity to learn
c. creative in problem solving
d. avoids challenges
D. avoids challenges
People with a growth mindset believe challenges are necessary for growth. They like to challenge themselves so they can learn to perform better
T/F: someone who is able to improvise well would be likely to experience functional fixedness
FALSE
Improvising means someone is able to make something from what is available. In the example above, the person was unable to improvise and use the cardboard and brush which was available to use, when their dustpan was not.
functional fixedness
the 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
Someone with a fixed mindset would have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:
a. take feedback personally
b. believe failures define who they are
c. believe they can increase their intelligence if they try hard enough
d. avoid challenges
C. believe they can increase their intelligence if they try hard enough
Someone with a fixed mindset believes that no amount of effort can change their intelligence or abilities. They believe they have a "fixed" amount of intelligence/skills.