The Psychology Of Problem Solving
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Where there is a problem there is a solution. No matter how complicated nor how elusive the solution is one is always there. Problems are the basis of jobs and careers: restaurants for hunger, movies and video games for boredom, news for information etc. However, with basic problems that have a set solution there are a variety of ways to solve it.
Working backwards, although slightly different, is a widely used and very effective way of solving problems. 1 (Referring to page “Problem I”) Most people would look at this problem and would loathe solving it because it would involve creating a long complicated algebraic problem. Using the method of working backwards even a child who hasnt learned algebra can solve the same problem and maybe even faster. Working backwards takes one to the answer and then works backwards throughout the problem to see how the solution was reached.
Means-Ends analysis is another way to solve a problem. “combines aspects of both forward and backward reasoning in that both the condition and action portions of rules are looked at when considering which rule to apply.” In some ways is the same as Working backwards, but different in the aspect of seeing the answer and finding the means it took to make it to that answer. 2 “However, even without the ordering of differences according to importance, MEA improves over other search heuristics (again in the average case) by focusing the problem solving on the actual differences between the current state and that of the goal.” This meaning that one looks at the problem, and the solution then can figure out the difference between them and how to reach the desired solution.
“In trial and error, one tries an option to see if it works. If it works, then we have a solution. If it doesnt work – there is an error – then one tries another option.” Although it is slightly lengthy it can be an extremely effective way to solve any given problem. “The scientific method can be regarded as containing an element of trial and error in its formulation and testing of hypotheses. Also compare genetic algorithms, simulated annealing and reinforcement learning- all varieties of search which apply the basic idea of trial and error.” Trial and error was most likely the first way and most definitely is the easiest way to solve problems.
2 Heuristics are rules of thumb that can help us to reach a solution to a problem, typically when facing complex problems or incomplete information. These rules work well under most circumstances. They can also be considered shortcuts. However, heuristics can cause
cognitive biases. Having a cognitive bias can significantly affect the scientific method or ABCDEs of problem solving. For example, “if the problem is “When do you eat food?”, if you answer, “When Im hungry” then you would have to eat immediately every single time you were hungry. Instead, we follow heuristics to determine when to eat by gauging our hunger level, the situation we are in, and our ability to get food.”
The basis of problem solving is called the ABCDEs. Assess the problem, Brainstorm approaches to the problem, Choose an approach that seems most likely to work, Do it, try the most likely approach, Evaluate the results. To assess the problem means to dissect the problem and see what its all about. In order to sole the problem effectively one must assess what kind of problem it is. Brainstorming approaches is the action of spontaneous creation of ideas that pertain and could solve the problem. The more ideas produced the more “cushion” you have when solving the