Problem Solving

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Problem Solving
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Heuristics

• Rule of Thumb
• Quick, Easy, Usually Accurate
• Not systematic, not step by step
• Can lead to bias or inaccurate problem solving.

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Algorithm

• Can be time consuming
• Step by Step, Systematic
• Guarantees an accurate solution

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Obstacles to Problem Solving

• Confirmation Bias Eagerness to search for
  information that confirms our ideas.
• We seek evidence verifying our ideas more eagerly
  than we seek evidence that might refute them.
• 2-4-6
• Guess the rule used to devise the series.
• Generate your own set of 3 numbers that conform
  to my rule. I will tell you if it conforms or
  not.

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Fixation

• Fixation The inability to see a problem from a
  new perspective, an impediment to solving a
  problem.

Using these materials how would you mount the
candle to a bulletin board?
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Still Fixated on Fixation

• Mental Set Predisposes how we think. We tend
  to approach problems in ways that have worked for
  us previously.
• O-T-T-F-__-__-__
• J-F-M-A-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__
• J-F-M-A-M-J-J-A-S-O-N-D
• Functional Fixedness Our tendency to think of
  only the familiar functions for objects, without
  imagining alternative uses. (Apollo 13 Clip)