WHS AP Psychology Unit 6: Cognition Essential Task 6-2: Identify problem-solving techniques (algorithms and heuristics) as well as factors that influence their effectiveness (problem representation, mental set and functional fixedness).

We are here Unit 6: Cognition Unit 6: Cognition Problem Solving Techniques Decision Making Techniques Acquisition and use of Language HeuristicsAlgorithms Compensatory Models Biological Factors Cognitive Factors Representativeness Heuristic Availability Heuristic Cultural Factors Memory Obstacles to Decision Making Obstacles to Problem Solving Information Processing Model StorageEncodingRetrieval

Essential Task 6-2: Problem Solving Steps Identify problem-solving techniques: –algorithms –Heuristics Hill climbing Sub-Goals Working backwards Means end analysis Factors that influence their effectiveness –problem representation –mental set –functional fixedness –motivation Outline

4 Problem Solving Steps 1.Define the Problem 2.Use that definition to decide what category a problem belongs to and then based on that 3.Select a solution strategy that would solve a problem in that category 4.Always evaluate progress toward goal

Possible Solution Strategies Trial and error –Works best with limited number of choices Information retrieval –Retrieve from memory information about how such a problem has been solved in the past Algorithms –Step-by-step methods that guarantees a solution –Methodical, logical rules or procedures that guarantee solving a particular problem. –Math problems are an example of the type best solved using an algorithm Heuristics –Rules of thumb that may help simplify a problem, but do not guarantee a solution. –They are quicker than algorithms

Algorithms Algorithms, which are very time consuming, exhaust all possibilities before arriving at a solution. Computers use algorithms. S P L O Y O C H Y G If we were to unscramble these letters to form a word using an algorithmic approach, we would face 907,208 possibilities.

Heuristics In psychology, heuristics are simple, efficient rules, learned from experience, that people use to make decisions, come to judgments, and solve problems typically when facing complex problems or incomplete information.

Heuristics Heuristics make it easier for us to use simple principles to arrive at solutions to problems. S P L O Y O C H Y G S P L O Y O C H G YP S L O Y O C H G YP S Y C H O L O G Y Heuristic at work: Y’s usually go at the end of a word.

Heuristic Methods Hill climbing –Move progressively closer to goal without moving backward Sub-goals –Break large problem into smaller, more manageable ones, each of which is easier to solve than the whole problem Means-end analysis –Aims to reduce the discrepancy between the current situation and the desired goal – subgoals not immediately in the solution direction are considered Working backward –Work backward from the desired goal to the existing condition

Hill Climbing Heuristic Move progressively closer to goal without moving backward

Sub-goals Break large problem into smaller, more manageable ones, each of which is easier to solve than the whole problem

Means-end analysis Aims to reduce the discrepancy between the current situation and the desired goal – subgoals not immediately in the solution direction are considered

Working backward Work backward from the desired goal to the existing condition

Obstacles to Solving Problems Motivation –Desire to solve a problem Mental sets –Tendency to perceive and approach problems in certain ways Functional fixedness –Tendency to see only a limited number of uses for an object

Motivation If you don’t attempt to solve a problem you won’t.

Mental Set “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

Functional Fixedness “I can only use it for this one thing!”