Download Chapter 11: Thinking & Problem Solving | EXP 3604 - Cognitive Psychology and more Quizzes Cognitive Psychology in PDF only on Docsity!
backtracking
A problem-solving technique that involves keeping track of where in the solving process assumptions are made, so they may later be changed. TERM 2
creativity
DEFINITION 2 Cognitive processes that employ appropriate novelty; originality that suits some purpose. TERM 3
critical thinking
DEFINITION 3 A type of thinking that involves careful examination of assumptions and evidence and that is purposeful and deliberate TERM 4
expert system
DEFINITION 4 A computer program designed to model the judgments of a human expert in a particular field. TERM 5
functional fixedness
DEFINITION 5 A problem-solving phenomenon in which people have difficulty seeing alternate uses for common objects
generate-and-test technique
A problem-solving strategy in which the solver enumerates (generates) possible solutions and then tries each to see if it constitutes a solution. TERM 7
GPS (General Problem Solver)
DEFINITION 7 A computer program developed by Allan Newell and Herbert Simon, that solved problems in crypt arithmetic and logic using meansends analysis. TERM 8
ill-defined problem
DEFINITION 8 A problem that does not have the goals, starting information, and/or legal steps stated explicitly. TERM 9
incubation
DEFINITION 9 Unconscious processing that works on a specific problem while the mind is otherwise occupied. TERM 10
inference rule
DEFINITION 10 Hypothesized special-purpose rule used in reasoning to draw conclusions.
problem space hypothesis
The idea that problem solving is isomorphic to a search through a mental graph, with nodes corresponding to every possible state of affairs of a problem and connections corresponding to legal moves. TERM 17
reasoning by analogy
DEFINITION 17 Problem solving that employs an analogy between the current problem and another problem that has already been solved. TERM 18
thinking
DEFINITION 18 A cognitive process used to transform or manipulate information that may be either focused (that is, solving problems with clear goals) or unfocused (that is, invoking loosely related ideas without clear purpose). TERM 19
well-defined problem
DEFINITION 19 A problem whose goals, starting information, and legal steps are stated explicitly. TERM 20
working backward
DEFINITION 20 A problem-solving technique that identifies the final goal and the steps, in reverse order, that are necessary to reach the goal.
