Psychology lecture

1. PROBLEM-SOLVING

2. WHAT IS PROBLEM SOLVING?
 Problem solving is the act of defining a
problem,determining the cause of the
problem,identifying,prioritizing and selecting
alternatives for a solution and implementing a
solution.
 It refers to our ability to solve problems in an
effective and timely manner .

3. METHODS OF PROBLEM SOLVING:
 There are two methods of problem solving:
 Trial and error
 Insight

4. TRIAL AND ERROR
 Trial and error is a fundamental method of problem
solving.It is characterized by repeated,varied
attempts which are continued until success or until
the practicer stops trying.
 For example: Imagine moving a large object such
as couch,or solving a maths problem.

5. INSIGHT
 : Problem solving through insight is a sudden
awareness of the relationship among various
elements that had previously appeared to be
independent of one another.Psychologists donot
know how insight operates,but do realize that it can
be a useful approach to problem solving.

6. STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING:

7. INDIVIDUAL FACTORS IN PROBLEM SOLVING:
 Mental Set: A mental set is the fixed possible
solution in one’s mind.It may be induced by
immediately preeceding experiences,by long
established practices or by reviving old habits.
 Past Experience: The more an individual’s
relevant experience in a given field,the more
concepts and generalizations he will have to the
present one.
 Frustration and Stress: It has been found that
stress and frustration cast adverse effect on
learning.Stress is more of hindrance to problem
solving when the solution requires a complex
response.

8. RULES IN PROBLEM SOLVING
 There are eight rules of problem solving:
 Run over the elements of the problem until a
pattern emerges
 Don’t jump to conclusions.
 Explore the environment.
 Produce the second solution after the first
 Critically evaluate your own ideas
 When stuck,change your representational system
 Take a break when you are stuck
 Talk about your problem with someone.

9. STRATEGIES IN PROBLEM SOLVING
 Alogrithms: In this strategy every possible
solution is tried until the correct one is found.
 For example: In an anagram three letters NFU
would be rearranged until the correct solution
FUN is found.
 Heuristics : A heuristic is a rule-of-thumb problem
solving strategy in which a person selectively tests
solution most likely to be correct.
 For example: We would most likely to try a
vowel in middle to produce FUN without
having to try all of the other solutions.

10. BARRIERS TO PROBLEM SOLVING
 Confirmation Bias
This is about not following the problem solving method, and
so introducing bias. This can be the result of missing steps
out, or not using them correctly.
 Mental Set
This comes from relying too heavily on heuristics-rather than
actively looking for the best or simplest solution.
 Functional Fixedness
This is about not thinking creatively. It is a narrow mind-
set. Functional Fixedness comes from people thinking that an
object has only one function.
 Unnecessary Constraint links to trying to solve a problem
using previous experience of what has worked in a situation
and trying to force it to work in the current situation, rather
than looking for a new solution.
 Irrelevant Information
This is information that is not needed to solve the problem.