Problem Solving

Refers to active effort to discover what must be done to achieve a goal that is not readily attainable

Problems of inducing structure

this are problems in which the person has to discover the relation among the parts of the problems.

Problems of Arrangment

In these problems the person has to range the parts in a way that satisfies some criterios.

Exemple: string problem in figure 8.1(book)

Problems of Transformation

these are problems in which the person must carry out a sequence of transformation in order to reach the especific goal.

Example: the hobbits and the orcs problem (p. 261 fig.8.1)

function fixedness

the tendency to percieve an item only in terms of his most common use.

A mental set

it exists when people insists in using problesm solving strategies that have worked in the past

Insight

when people suddenly descover the correct solution to a problem after struggling with it for a while

Trial and Error

involves trying possible solutions sequentially and discarding those that are in error until one works

Heuristic

a guiding principle of "rule of thumb" use to solving problms or making desitions