Psych 289 Chapter 8 (Language and Thought) Questions
With Complete Solutions
Define problem space, trial-and-error problem
solving, algorithms, and heuristics. Be able to provide and
recognize original examples of these strategies. Do algorithms
guarantee success if a solution to a problem exists? Do heuristics
guarantee success? Why, or why not? Explain. (pp. 368-369)
Problem space- refer to the set of possible pathways to a
solution considered by the problem solver: problem solving as a
search in space and the task is to find a solution among the
pathways from initial state to the goal state
Trial and Error- involves trying possible solutions and
discarding those that don't work until you find one that solves
the problem
Algorithms- methodical step by step procedure for trying all
possible alternative to the problem
e.g. word problems like IHCRA, you write out all the possible
solutions to it
Heuristics- guiding principle or rule of thumb used in problem
solving or making decisions- allows you to discard some
alternatives to pursue selected alternatives that appear more
likely to solve the problem
,e.g. subgoals, working backwards, analogies, changing
representation
Describe the problem-solving strategies of the following
strateiges: (a) using subgoals, (b) working backward, (c)
searching for analogies, (d) changing the representation of the
problem, and (e) using the incubation effect. Be able to provide
and recognize original examples of these strategies. (pp. 369-
372)
Subgoals- intermediate steps towards a solution: reach a subgoal
and you have solved part of the problem
e.g. tower of Hanoi problems requires a subgoal process
Working backwards- beginning at the end and word backwards
e.g. the lily pond problem
Searching for analogies- finding analogies can facilitate
innovative thinking and can use the solution from another
problem to solve current problem if you can find the similarities
between the two
problem: people focus on surface features and not on underlying
features so they are not able to see the analogy
Changing the representation- how you see the problem and by
changing the way that you see the problem can help you solve it
e.g. if is it presented mathematically, change it into a graph or a
visual representation might make it clearer and easier to solve it
Incubation effect- taking a break from the problem gives you
, time to reflect and when you go back to the problem, you have
new insight on it
Define field-dependence and field-independence. Be able to
provide and recognize examples of field-dependent and field-
independent cognitive styles. Under what conditions and in what
types of societies would each of these cognitive styles most
likely prevail? (p. 372)
Herman Witkin-
Field-dependence-independence: individual's tendency to rely
primarily on external versus internal frames of reference when
orientating themselves in space
Field-dependent- rely on external frames of reference and accept
the physical environment as a given instead of trying to analyze
it,
problem solving: focus on the total context of the problem and
not the specifics
3. dominant in sedentary agricultural societies and that stress
conformity
Field-independent- rely on internal frames of reference and try
to analyze and try to restructure the physical environment rather
than accepting it as it is
problem solving: more likely to focus on specific features of the
problem and try to reorganize it
1. usually outperform on lab problems like the string problem
and matchstick problem
2. attributed to their ability to analyze and rearrange the
With Complete Solutions
Define problem space, trial-and-error problem
solving, algorithms, and heuristics. Be able to provide and
recognize original examples of these strategies. Do algorithms
guarantee success if a solution to a problem exists? Do heuristics
guarantee success? Why, or why not? Explain. (pp. 368-369)
Problem space- refer to the set of possible pathways to a
solution considered by the problem solver: problem solving as a
search in space and the task is to find a solution among the
pathways from initial state to the goal state
Trial and Error- involves trying possible solutions and
discarding those that don't work until you find one that solves
the problem
Algorithms- methodical step by step procedure for trying all
possible alternative to the problem
e.g. word problems like IHCRA, you write out all the possible
solutions to it
Heuristics- guiding principle or rule of thumb used in problem
solving or making decisions- allows you to discard some
alternatives to pursue selected alternatives that appear more
likely to solve the problem
,e.g. subgoals, working backwards, analogies, changing
representation
Describe the problem-solving strategies of the following
strateiges: (a) using subgoals, (b) working backward, (c)
searching for analogies, (d) changing the representation of the
problem, and (e) using the incubation effect. Be able to provide
and recognize original examples of these strategies. (pp. 369-
372)
Subgoals- intermediate steps towards a solution: reach a subgoal
and you have solved part of the problem
e.g. tower of Hanoi problems requires a subgoal process
Working backwards- beginning at the end and word backwards
e.g. the lily pond problem
Searching for analogies- finding analogies can facilitate
innovative thinking and can use the solution from another
problem to solve current problem if you can find the similarities
between the two
problem: people focus on surface features and not on underlying
features so they are not able to see the analogy
Changing the representation- how you see the problem and by
changing the way that you see the problem can help you solve it
e.g. if is it presented mathematically, change it into a graph or a
visual representation might make it clearer and easier to solve it
Incubation effect- taking a break from the problem gives you
, time to reflect and when you go back to the problem, you have
new insight on it
Define field-dependence and field-independence. Be able to
provide and recognize examples of field-dependent and field-
independent cognitive styles. Under what conditions and in what
types of societies would each of these cognitive styles most
likely prevail? (p. 372)
Herman Witkin-
Field-dependence-independence: individual's tendency to rely
primarily on external versus internal frames of reference when
orientating themselves in space
Field-dependent- rely on external frames of reference and accept
the physical environment as a given instead of trying to analyze
it,
problem solving: focus on the total context of the problem and
not the specifics
3. dominant in sedentary agricultural societies and that stress
conformity
Field-independent- rely on internal frames of reference and try
to analyze and try to restructure the physical environment rather
than accepting it as it is
problem solving: more likely to focus on specific features of the
problem and try to reorganize it
1. usually outperform on lab problems like the string problem
and matchstick problem
2. attributed to their ability to analyze and rearrange the
