2.1 Problem 8
Problem-Solving Strategies
Exhaustive search- try out all possible answers using a specified system
Analogy Approach
Analogy approach- employ a solution to a similar, earlier problem to help you solve
a new problem
Analogies- problems that have already been solved as aids for representing and
solving a current problem
Widely used in problem solving
Prominent when making creative breakthroughs
If use this approach, problem in determining the real problem
Problem isomorphs- set of problems that have the same underlying structures
and solutions, but different specific details
Typically focus more on superficial meaning of problem, that abstract
underlying meaning
o Fail to emphasis structural features- underlying core that they must
understand in order to solve the problem correctly
Radiation problem= need to eliminate deadly tumour, but rays with kill the
surrounding tissue- solution= use different angles)
Often fail to see analogy between problem solver and a new problem
isomorph with similar structural features
o Failure to transfer knowledge
Likelier to use analogy strategy correctly if several structurally similar
problems, before tackle target problem
Verbalising problem solving encourages participants to see surface similarity
instead of structural similarity (Lane and Schooler study)
o Requirement of verbalisation leads to focus on superficial similarities as
they’re easy to talk about
Analogical reasoning can be benefitted through action- kinaesthetic info-
information that arises from body movement
Study (Catrombone Et Al)
Method: all participants encode general problem, then three “retrieval”
phases
Phase 1- recall general problem in one of 3 modes
Verbal condition= recall story from memory
Visual condition= recall story from memory while drawing
sketch of it at same time
Enactment condition (key condition)= recall story while enacting
story with blocks
Phase 2- presented with radiation problem as many solutions as quickly
as possible
Phase 3- told to start fresh, attempt to come up with solution to
problem based on story they’d read earlier
Results: almost all people in enactment solved problem
Gick and Holyoak Study
Method: present participants with one of several stories (like radiation
problem)
1. Some participants only given target problem
2. Some instructed to memorise source problem then solve target
problem
Results: 1= 10% came up with solution
2= 30% came with solution
20% of participants spontaneously noticed the analogous relationship
and used it
Problem-Solving Strategies
Exhaustive search- try out all possible answers using a specified system
Analogy Approach
Analogy approach- employ a solution to a similar, earlier problem to help you solve
a new problem
Analogies- problems that have already been solved as aids for representing and
solving a current problem
Widely used in problem solving
Prominent when making creative breakthroughs
If use this approach, problem in determining the real problem
Problem isomorphs- set of problems that have the same underlying structures
and solutions, but different specific details
Typically focus more on superficial meaning of problem, that abstract
underlying meaning
o Fail to emphasis structural features- underlying core that they must
understand in order to solve the problem correctly
Radiation problem= need to eliminate deadly tumour, but rays with kill the
surrounding tissue- solution= use different angles)
Often fail to see analogy between problem solver and a new problem
isomorph with similar structural features
o Failure to transfer knowledge
Likelier to use analogy strategy correctly if several structurally similar
problems, before tackle target problem
Verbalising problem solving encourages participants to see surface similarity
instead of structural similarity (Lane and Schooler study)
o Requirement of verbalisation leads to focus on superficial similarities as
they’re easy to talk about
Analogical reasoning can be benefitted through action- kinaesthetic info-
information that arises from body movement
Study (Catrombone Et Al)
Method: all participants encode general problem, then three “retrieval”
phases
Phase 1- recall general problem in one of 3 modes
Verbal condition= recall story from memory
Visual condition= recall story from memory while drawing
sketch of it at same time
Enactment condition (key condition)= recall story while enacting
story with blocks
Phase 2- presented with radiation problem as many solutions as quickly
as possible
Phase 3- told to start fresh, attempt to come up with solution to
problem based on story they’d read earlier
Results: almost all people in enactment solved problem
Gick and Holyoak Study
Method: present participants with one of several stories (like radiation
problem)
1. Some participants only given target problem
2. Some instructed to memorise source problem then solve target
problem
Results: 1= 10% came up with solution
2= 30% came with solution
20% of participants spontaneously noticed the analogous relationship
and used it
