The Five Ordered Steps of Problem-Solving

I. Define problem

A. Why this step is the most important step.

B. Three pitfalls in defining the problem.

1.

2.

Two reasons we have difficulty with this step:

a.

b.

3.

II. Generate solutions

A. Using existing solutions:

1. Algorithms: a problem-solving strategy that--if all the steps are followed--is guaranteed to eventually lead to a solution.

Two problems with algorithms:

1. They involve many steps

2. They only fit problems where there is one right answer. Thus, there are algorithms for solving some math problems and playing certain simple games, but not for problems with human relationships.

2. Heuristics: a general rule that guides problem-solving, but does not guarantee a perfect solution.

One type: The representativeness heuristic:

a general rule used when people decide whether something is a typical case. If the target matches their memory of a typical instance, they will decide that the target is a typical case.

Examples of the representativeness heuristic:

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

B. Barriers to generating new solutions

1. Set: a rigidity in problem-solving due to wanting to continue to do things the old way.

Examples:

Functional fixedness: a form of set where we consider only the usual function of an object and overlook other possible uses.

2. STM's limits

III. Evaluate alternatives

Why we "satisfice" (choose the first satisfactory option)

rather than "optimize" (choose the best [optimum] option)

What it takes to optimize:

1.

2.

3.

Why we fail to optimize:

1. Because of the limits of STM, we do poorly at:

Considering all the options

Considering all the pros and cons of each option

To get around the limits of short-term memory, you might use the computer to help you.

2. Because we rely on the availability heuristic

(which should have been called the accessibility heuristic), we are bad at estimating the frequency of events. That is, we estimate how often something happens based on how easy it is to remember examples of that event occurring. The problem is that some events, even if they don't occur very often, are easy to recall (airplane crashes).

(If you came here from reading about the survey, click here to return )

3. We are vulnerable to framing effects (the way the problem is worded affects the decision that we will make) because we are loss adverse: we hate to think that we might lose something. We like to gain, but we HATE to lose. Insurance companies and bankers love us for this.

IV. Act

V. Evaluate

1. List the 5 steps of the problem solving model.

2. Explain why defining the problem is the most important step in problem solving.

3. Give at least one example of a "problem" that our society may have incorrectly defined.

4. Explain three errors that people commonly make in defining a problem.

5. Describe how expert problem solvers differ from non-expert problem solvers.

6. Describe the difference between algorithms and heuristics.

7. Give two reasons why people tend to use heuristics rather than algorithms.

8. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using the representativeness heuristic.

9. Describe the phenomenon of "set."

10. Explain how functional fixedness is a particular type of set .

11. Explain why STM's limitations interfere with our ability to generate solutions to problems.

12. Explain why people satisfice rather than optimize.

13. Tell someone a strategy they could use so that they could optimize.

14. Explain why knowing the probability of different outcomes is essential to being able to make the best choice among alternatives.

15. Explain how the availability heuristic may cause us to make poor decisions.

16. Explain how people can persuade us to do things by taking advantage of framing effects.

In addition, you should:

Have some fun by looking at the Mission Statement Generator to see how NOT to solve problems and make decisions. As Dilbert points out, Mission Statements are usually poor definitions of the problem the company is trying to solve. In addition, it's usually not a good idea to choose an alternative at random.

Look at an interesting problem (okay, it's really a puzzle game) researchers have used to study problem-solving.

General Psychology

FIVE STEPS TO CREATIVITY AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CREATIVE PERSONALITY

0. Overview

A. The importance of creativity

B. How can you become more creative?

1.

2.

C. The 5 steps

1. Preparation

2. Incubation

3. Illumination

4. Evaluation

5. Revision

Step 1. Preparation

What are you preparing to do?

Combine old ideas in new ways

How can you prepare yourself?

1.

a.

b.

2. Use techniques to get create new gestalts

Techniques

#1 Attribute listing

Create your own credit card by choosing from the list of 4 attributes (based on an exercise devised by Dr. Tony Grasha).

#2 Analogies

#3 The dictionary

Implications of the need for preparation for the creative personality

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

When it works

After preparation--not instead of.

Why it works

1. We want to "forget" our old approach to the problem. That is, we want to free ourselves from the old set.

2.

Implications for the creative personality

>Step 3. Illumination

Step 4. Evaluation

Importance of Evaluation

Importance of evaluating at the proper time

1. Delayed evaluation may allow you to explore and develop an idea that may be closer to a good idea than you initially think.

2. Delayed evaluation is the key to brainstorming.

Implications for the creative personality:

1.

2.

Step 5. Revision

Why people don't know about revision

Implications of the need for revision for the creative personality

1.

2.

3.

1. List the five steps of the creative process.

2. Explain what creativity is.

3. Give two reasons why preparation is vital for creativity.

4. Explain why learning "irrelevant information" helps creativity.

5. Describe attribute listing.

6. Give two possible explanations for why incubation seems to work.

7. Explain why evaluation helps creativity, but only when it is done at the proper time.

8. Explain why the myth of the lazy, unambitious, unfocused, aimless creative type is false.

9. Explain why there is some truth to the idea that creative types are moderately intelligent, messy, nonconformists who sometimes have outrageous thoughts.

10. Explain why creative people tend to be more open to new experiences, less conventional, more self-confidence, more driven, more ambitious, and more hostile (Feist, 1998) than most people.

11. List at least four things you can do to become more creative.

In addition, you should:

Just for fun. See how well you do at some puzzle/riddle problems.
Also, check out these two creativity sites from Australia:

• Games to promote creativity
• Creativity Web page .

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