Psych 355

Front 1

9.1
What are algorithms and heuristics? Provide a definition and an example of each. Use examples not provided in class/text

Back 1

algorithm-problem solving method that will always produce a solution, even if inefficient (search through all possible solutions to find best one)
heuristic-general problem solving strategy that usually yields the correct colution-requires ignoring some alternatives
ex of algorithm-cooking do not know what spice to put in curry, try every spice available (best one may be the last) but will eventually get correct answer
heuristic-remember general rule your recipe is supposed to be spicy, so try curry powder, cayane pepper, etc. instead of every single one you have

Front 2

9.2
What is meant by insight in problem solving? What is incubation? Give 1 explanation for the insight that is provided by your text. give an example not in lecture/text

Back 2

insight problems-when problem initially seems impossible to solve, then the alternative approach suddenly bursts into consciousness and realize solution
sometimes best way to solve is to stop thinking of problem for a bit-allow it to incubate for a while and come back
incubation (time away) can lead to finding solution
insight problem happening may be b/c top-down processing of problem inappropriately dominated thinking and wrong set of alternatives was considered
ex- magic-eye books: when 1st staring, looks like jumble of odd colors mixed. take a break and come back to look see "magic" image

Front 3

9.3
What are "functional fixedness" and "mental set"? give examples succumbing to or overcoming both. Use ex not used in lecture/text

Back 3

both can inhibit solving a problem
functional fixedness: fail to think about features of an object that would make it useful for solving a specific problem b/c focus on the nomrla functions/uses of the object
mental set-when problem solver keeps trying to solve the prob w/ the same solutios used in previous problems
succum to functional fixedness when need to sharpen pencil/can't find sharpened, and ignore use of kitchen knife. fail to see use of knife's sharp edge to sharpen b/c used normally to cut food
over coming mental set-objectively looking at all aspects of each problem and remember using the same solution may not always be effective ex. use ladder to wash all 2nd story windows, when some may be cleaned easier from the inside, reaching out

Front 4

9.4
What are "hill climbing" and means-end problem solving? Provide an example of each one. What is the drawback in the hill climbing approach? How can it be overcome by using means-end analysis?

Back 4

Hill climbing-problem solving strategy where at every choice point (when necessary to make decision to take action) choose alternative that takes you closer to the goal ex: when physician gives patient a little meds at a time to test what works to cure the ailment (choses alt. each time thinking will move him toward the goal)
drawback to hill climbing: when prob requires you to take a step in a direction that seems away from the goal state (ex. trying to get to the 2nd hill, and must move down 1st hill to get to 2nd)
means-end: long-range strategy that allows regression from the goal, in order to move forward.
set up subgoals that ultimately lead towards original goal. ex. in tower of hannoy-set up 3 subgoals in order to get largest ring on last peg in order to get the smaller rings back in order on top
completing the subgoaling reduces the difference btw. the current state and subgoal
this operator (tool/action used to move from current to goal state) can be applied )continuously if needed) until the end goal is reached.
means end allows for working backward/forwards in order to reach goal

Front 5

9.5
How do people solve problems by analogy? Give an example. and use the term isomorph., deep structure, and surface structure. What do ppl sometimes fail to notice?

Back 5

solve probs by analogy by employing a solution to a similar, earlier problem to solve a new one.
ex noticing the similar underlying deep structure (underlying, abstract, meaning) of the problem isomorph
isomorph-set of problems that have the same underlying dep structures and solutions but different specific/surface details (surface structure)
surface sructures may be specific objects/terms used inthe problem
ex: presented w/ tumor probelm where radiation cannot be given in 1 beam to get rid of tumor and then given fortress problem where taking over castle means dividing the troops on the raods and the converging to attack
deep structure of the isomorphs is the same (divide forces and converge on target-either the tumor or fortress) and the surface is different (target, source, etc.)
ppl sometimes fail to use this problem solving strategy b/c in order to solve the problem 1) msut notice analogous relationship 2) map out correspondence (take indiv. components from 1 prob and figure out how they correspond w/ the 2nd) 3) apply the mapping to generate the solution
can be difficult b/c completing any of these stages may not be obvious (not see the deep structure to make the analogy, etc)

Front 6

9.6
How do ill-defined problems differ from well-defined problems? How does having an ill-defined problem affect the approach of the problem solver? Give an example of an ill-defined problem not used inthe text/lecture.

Back 6

ill defined-problems where the problem space is not defined: you may not be aware of your initial state, what the (sometimes) goal state is, what the operators are (tools/actions used to take to goal) or any instructions/constraints of the problem (ruling out some paths/solutions)
you must to a situation assessment to figure out the problem space in order to see how you can move forward to the goal state
well defined problems-clearly outlines all these aspects of the problem space