PROBLEM-SOLVING Why are some problems just so damn darn hard to solve? 1. We don’t take the time to determine what is relevant and end up focusing on irrelevant information.

PROBLEM-SOLVING Why are some problems just so damn darn hard to solve? 2. Functional fixedness: we often have fixed ideas about the typical functions of objects

PROBLEM-SOLVING Why are some problems just so damn darn hard to solve? 3. We form a mental set based on previous solutions to problems that contributes to rigid thinking

PROBLEM-SOLVING Why are some problems just so damn darn hard to solve? 4. We make assumptions that impose unnecessary constraints on solving problems and prevent us from “thinking outside the box”

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 1. Insight! After contemplating a problem, we suddenly (?) discover the correct solution

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 2. We use algorithms: methodical, systematic, step-by- step procedures for trying all possible solutions, usually involving trial and error (anagrams); usually inefficient

1. Old West Action 2. Dirty Room 3. Here Come Dots 4 1. Old West Action 2. Dirty Room 3. Here Come Dots 4. Alas, no more z’s 5. The fine game of nil

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 3. So instead we use shortcuts called heuristics: efficient, but error-prone, strategies allowing us to make quick judgments based on guiding principles or “rules-of- thumb” (often unconscious/can lead to bias)

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 4. We can form subgoals: breaking a problem down into multiple intermediate steps (the Tower of Hanoi problem) also (“Rome wasn’t built in a day”)

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 5. Work backward: starting at the end-goal can dramatically simplify a problem (water lily problem)

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 6. Find an appropriate analogy: spotting similarities between problems allows innovative thinking and solution-sharing between them

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 7. Restructure/Change the representation of the problem: if you fail to make progress solving a problem, take a ‘step back’, strip away irrelevant details, and approach it differently (the bird and train problem)

PROBLEM-SOLVING How do we solve problems? 8. Sleep on it! Take a break and let a solution incubate by letting your unconscious work on it while your conscious mind is focused elsewhere

THE OF EAST VS. WEST PROBLEM (SOLVING-STYLES) East Asian cultures are said to have a holistic cognitive style focusing on context and relationships and Western cultures have an analytic cognitive style focused on specific objects and parts → theories suggest this is a result of the East’s focus on the group and the West’s on the individual