Changing and reorganizing information stored in memory to create new or transformed information.
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Transcript of Changing and reorganizing information stored in memory to create new or transformed information.
Thinking and Problem Solving
THINKING
• Changing and reorganizing information stored in memory to create new or transformed information.
Units of Thought
Image: Visual mental representation of a specific event or object• Most basic unit of thought• May not be an exact copy, but has the
highlights of the originalSymbol: abstract—a sound, object or design that represents an object or quality• Words, icons, numbers• Can have a number of meanings—
enables us to consider the past and the future
Units of Thought
Concept: A class of objects or events that have at least one common attribute• Enables us to chunk large amounts of
information• We don’t have to treat each new piece of
info as unique• Animals, cars, liquid, beauty
Prototype: A representative example of a concept• The image that comes to your mind when
a concept is introduced• An ex. that has the most characteristics
of the concept
Kinds of Thinking
Directed Thinking (convergent thinking)
• Systematic and logical attempts to reach a specific goal or answer. • Depends on symbols, concepts or rules• Deliberate and purposeful• Helps us solve problems, formulate and follow rules and work toward setting and achieving goals
Non-directed Thinking (divergent thinking)
• Free flow of thoughts, no real plan depends more on images•Daydreams, fantasies•Often used when we are relaxing, or escaping boredom. •May lead to insights into goals or beliefs
KINDS OF THINKINGContinued…
Metacognition: • Thinking
about our thinking
• Thinking of our strategy or how we went about solving something
PROBLEM SOLVING• One of the main functions of directed thinking• Help us bridge the gap between a desired goal
and a present situation
Strategies• Sub-goals: Break a complex
problem down into smaller easier to manage goals• Work Backwards: Start with the
solution and figure out a way to solve it• Look into your memory: Have you
experienced something like this before?
Strategies• Algorithms: Fixed set of procedures that if followed
correctly will lead to a solution• Mathematical formulas, Playing Chess• Not always realistic, can be very long and complex
• Can you figure out what this word is?
•SPLOYOCHYG•PSYCHOLOGY
• How did you solve it?• An algorithm would have taken
907,200 attempts!!
Strategies• Heuristics: Experimental strategies or rules of thumb
that simplify problems and can lead to quick solutions• A short cut• Can result in bad decisions because we don’t have
enough information or we ignore pertinent information• Availability Heuristic• Rely on easily recalled info• Lottery
• Representativeness Heuristic• Assumptions• Rules of thumb• Flipping a coin
Which is more likely….• If I flip a coin 10 times, which is more likely to be the
results?
HHTHTTHTHH or HHHHHHHHHHWHY??
Both series are just as likely, but your representative heuristic makes you think that 1 is more likely because option 1 representsWhat a random series should look like
Obstacles…• Mental Set: When a strategy becomes habit.• Cemented into your problem solving strategies• Your thinking can become rigid: rigidity
• Functional Fixedness: the inability to solve a problem that requires them to use a familiar object in an unfamiliar way.• Inability to “Think outside the box.”• Which activities did you experience this?
TRY THIS!CONNECT ALL 9 DOTS
USE ONLY 4 LINES
DO NOT LIFT YOUR PENCIL
NO RETRACING
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX (LITERALLY)
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E R N P S E G T F B D W A H
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M P G H R Y BA A S T D I O