Cognitive Psychology: Pearson International Edition
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Learning Goals:
1. How do we solve problems?
2. How does creativity help with problem solving?
Course 2.1 Problem 6 - How do we represent language?
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Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR)
Psychologie
2.1 Cognitieve Psychologie
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2.1 Cognition: Thinking & Remembering
Problem 8 – Problem solving
Literature: Robinson-Riegler, Matlin
Problems
- Basic components:
1. Initial state (beginning) 3. Set of rules
2. Goal state (solution) 4. Set of obstacles
- Ill-defined: fuzzy, abstract, more of a challenge
- Well-defined: clear, structured, easily assessed
- Routine: applying well-practiced procedures
- Non-routine: more challenging, not well-practiced
Mayer: types of problems
- Transformational:
o Given: goal state
o Task: find strategy/moves to transform initial state into goal state
o E.g. Tower of Hanoi
- Arrangement problems:
o Given: all necessary elements
o Task: figure out how to arrange
o E.g. anagram
- Induction problems:
o Given: series of examples
o Task: figure out rule/pattern
o E.g. finishing number sequence
- Deduction problems:
o Given: premises/conditions
o Task: whether conclusion fits
- Divergent problems:
o Task: generate as many solutions to a problem
Approaches to the study of problem solving
Behaviorism
- Problem solving = “mindless” process; trial & error; automatic application of learned responses
- Thorndike: law of effect = response → satisfying outcome → likely to repeat
- Study: cat in a box → press button to come out
Gestalt psychology
- Problem solving = restructuring/reorganizing of problem elements → sudden realization of solution
- E.g. apes pondered about how to get to bananas suspended from ceiling → suddenly used crates as steps
- Insight = sudden, successful restructuring of problem elements
- Focus: relationships between problem elements
- Evaluation
(+) incorporates mental representations
(–) vague; lacks explanations
Cognitive Psychology (information processing approach)
- GPS (General Problem Solver)
- Problem solving = step-by-step process from initial to goal state
- Sub-goals to minimalize “distance” to goal state
- Operators analyze sub-goals (= problem-solving technique)
- Problem space = mental representation of initial state, goal state, all intermediate sub-goal states, operators
→ problem solving = “excursion” through problem space
- External world (problem info.) → internal representation (mental) → sequential application of operations
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