1. Unit 7: Cognition AP Psychology
Essential Task 7-2: Identify problem-solving techniques (algorithms and heuristics) as well as factors that influence their effectiveness (problem representation, mental set and functional fixedness). 
Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

2. Cognition We are here Algorithms Heuristics Biological Factors
Representativeness Heuristic
Compensatory Models
We are here
Problem Solving Techniques
Decision Making Techniques
Availability Heuristic
Cognition
Obstacles to Problem Solving
Obstacles to Decision Making
Biological Factors
Acquisition and use of Language
Memory
Information Processing Model
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Cognitive Factors
Cultural Factors

3. Essential Task 7-2: Problem Solving Steps
Outline
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

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

5. 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

6. S P L O Y O C H Y G 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.

7. 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.

8. Heuristic at work: Y’s usually go at the end of a word.
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
P S L O Y O C H G Y
S P L O Y O C H G Y
P S Y C H O L O G Y
Heuristic at work: Y’s usually go at the end of a word.

9. Heuristic Methods Hill climbing Sub-goals Means-end analysis
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

10. Hill Climbing Heuristic
Move progressively closer to goal without moving backward

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

12. 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

13. Working Backward
Work backward from the desired goal to the existing condition

14. 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

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

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

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