The Dark Side of Satisficing

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The Dark Side of Satisficing

• February 2, 2005
• Dr. Don Franceschetti
• dfrncsch_at_memphis.edu

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Satisficing

• H. A. Simon, 1957
• Between suffice and satisfy, the way real
  people have to solve real problems, because
• Not enough data available
• It would take too long
• Problems too hard
• But its a dangerous way to learn

3
Circuit problem

• How much charge will flow through the switch when
  it is closed?
• Remember
• VIR
• QCV

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Multiple choice

• The pressure in an ideal gas falls when the
  volume is increased at constant temperature
  because
• A. Same number of molecule collisions with wall
  occur over a bigger area
• B. Fewer collisions occur with wall per second.
• C. Some combination of these

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Answer is C

• Consider a cube of side A, double A
• Area is multiplied by 4
• Volume is multiplied by 8
• Pressure drops to 1/8 of original
• Different shapes, different story

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Mechanics

• A necklace of mass M is displayed on an inverted
  right circular cone of vertex angle 2a. The cone
  material is frictionless. What is the tension in
  the necklace?

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A research issue

• Are physics misconceptions coherent?
• Or are they just little applets?

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Gravity Misconceptions

• There is no gravity in a vacuum.
• NASA has built a zero gravity chamber.
• Gravity is the same as air pressure.
• Gravity pushes down.
• Gravity is the same as magnetism (William Gilbert
  1600 A. D.)

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Are there suggestions for the study of brain
function?

• Current information on brain function comes from
• Head wound patients
• fMRI studies
• Memory studies

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Brain vs. Behavioral Studies

• Imagine trying to understand the behavior of a
  computer by
• 1.. Poking random holes in it
• 2.. Measuring magnetic fields of different parts
  while it is doing different things
• 3.. Giving it a memory test

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Brain vs. Behavioral Studies

• Imagine trying to understand the behavior of a
  computer by
• 1.. Poking random holes in it
• 2.. Measuring magnetic fields of different parts
  while it is doing different things
• 3.. Giving it a memory test

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The New Phrenology?
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Or maybe,

• We can learn a lot from physics misconceptions
  and problem solving.