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Cognitive Psychology - Problem Solving and Creativity

The document outlines the problem-solving cycle which includes 7 steps: 1) identifying the problem 2) defining the problem 3) formulating a strategy 4) organizing information 5) allocating resources 6) monitoring progress 7) evaluating the solution. It also discusses well-structured problems with clear solutions, ill-structured problems requiring insight, and defines creativity as producing something both original and worthwhile.

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283 views15 pages

Cognitive Psychology - Problem Solving and Creativity

The document outlines the problem-solving cycle which includes 7 steps: 1) identifying the problem 2) defining the problem 3) formulating a strategy 4) organizing information 5) allocating resources 6) monitoring progress 7) evaluating the solution. It also discusses well-structured problems with clear solutions, ill-structured problems requiring insight, and defines creativity as producing something both original and worthwhile.

Uploaded by

Meta Morphosis
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Problem Solving and

Creativity
Chapter 11
Outline
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
2. Types of Problems
1. Well-Structured Problems
2. Ill-Structured Problems and the Role of
Insight
3. Creativity
Problem-Solving Cycle
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
• Problem Solving
– The process of overcoming obstacles to answer a
question or to achieve a goal

The problem Solving Cycle


1. Problem Identification
– We have to recognize that we have a goal or that the
solution we had in mind does not work
2. Problem definition and representation
– We have to define and represent the problem well
enough to understand how to solve it
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
3. Strategy formulation
– We have to plan a strategy for solving the
problem which may involve
• Analysis – breaking down the whole of a complex
problem into manageable elements
• Synthesis – putting together various elements to
arrange them into something useful
• Divergent thinking – you try to generate a diverse
assortment of possible alternative solutions to a
problem
• Convergent thinking – you narrow down the
multiple possibilities to converge on a single, best
answer
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
4. Organization of Information
– You have to organize the available information in a
way that enables you to implement the strategy
– You organize the information strategically, finding a
the most suitable representation
5. Resource allocation
– We have limited resources (time, money, equipment,
space,…)
– We have to decide how much we want to invest into
the problem solving
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
6. Monitoring
– It is necessary to monitor the process of solving the
problem to make sure that we are getting closer to the
goal
– We need to reassess what we are doing to be able to
compensate for possible flaws
7. Evaluation
– You need to evaluate your solution after you have
finished
– New problems can be recognized, the problem may
be redefined, new strategies may come to light, and
new resources may become available
1. The Problem-Solving Cycle
• Incubation
– Putting the problem aside for a while
– Problem will be processed subconsciously
– The benefits of incubation can be enhanced in
two ways:
• Invest enough time in the problem initially
• Allow sufficient time for incubation to permit the
reorganization of information
2. Types of Problems
1. Well-Structured Problems
• Problems with clear paths to their
solutions
2. Types of Problems
1. Well-Structured Problems
• Humans use heuristics
– Informal, intuitive, speculative strategies that
sometimes lead to an effective solution and
sometimes do not
– If we store in long-term memory several
simple heuristics that we can apply to a
variety of problems, we can lessen the burden
of our limited-capacity working memory
2. Types of Problems
2. Ill-Structured Problems and the Role of
Insight
• There is no clear, readily available path to
solution
• ill-structured problems do not have well-
defined problem spaces, and problem
solvers have difficulty constructing
appropriate mental representations for
modeling these problems and their
solutions
2. Types of Problems
2. Ill-Structured Problems and the Role of Insight
• Insight
– a distinctive and sometimes seemingly sudden
understanding of a problem or of a strategy that aids
in solving the problem
– Often, an insight involves reconceptualizing a
problem or a strategy for its solution in a totally new
way
– Insight can be involved in solving well-structured
problems, but it is more often associated with ill-
structured problems
Creativity
• Creativity
– The process of producing something that is
both original and worthwhile
– Creative individuals show creative
productivity, producing inventions, insightful
discoveries, artistic works, revolutionary
paradigms
– Creative individuals usually have creative
lifestyles, characterized by flexibility,
nonstereotypical behaviors, and
nonconforming attitudes
Creativity
• It’s How Much You Produce
– Creative individuals can come up with many
different ways to solve problems

• It’s What You Know


– What distinguishes remarkably creative
individuals from less remarkable people is
their expertise and commitment to their
creative endeavor
Creativity
• It’s Who You Are
– Role of personality and motivation in creativity
– Intrinsic motivation (enjoyment of the creative
process) is essential to creativity, whereas
extrinsic motivation (fame, fortune) actually
may impede creativity
• It’s Where You Are
– External factors that contribute to creativity
– Context (time, space, resources) of creative
work

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