initial state
set of conditions at the beginning of problem in problem-solving
goal state
condition that occurs when a problem has been solved
intermediate state
set of conditions that exists along the pathways between the initial and goal states in problem-solving
operator
permissible move that can be made toward a problem's solution in problem-solving
problem space
set of all possible conditions for a particular difficult situation
means-end analysis
problem-solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between the starting and ending conditions
subgoal
intermediate condition that is closer to the solution
problem
situation in which there is an obstacle between a present state and a goal state
restructuring
the process of changing the problem's representation
insight
a sudden realization of a problem's solution
fixation
pausing of the eyes on places of interest while observing a scene
functional fixedness
knowledge of an object's standard purpose limits an individual's ability to use the object differently
candle problem
task used to study functional fixedness
mental set
preconceived notion about how to approach a problem based on a person's experience
water jug problem
task that illustrates how mental set can influence strategies people use to solve a problem
Tower of Hanoi problem
task used to illustrate the process involved in means-end analysis
mutilated checkerboard problem
task to study how statement of a problem influences the ability to reach a solution
think-aloud protocol
procedure used to help determine people's thought processes as they are solving a problem
analogy
act of making a comparison in order to show a similarity between two different things
analogical problem solving
use of comparison as an aid to figuring out issues
analogical transfer
shift of experience in solving one problem to the solution of another, similar problem
source problem
task analogous to the current task that can help solve the current task
radiation problem
task used to study the role of analogy in resolving issues
surface feature
specific element that make up a problem
analogical encoding
-a technique in which people compare 2 problems that illustrate a principle
analogical paradox
difficulty using comparisons in laboratory settings while routinely using them in real-world settings
in vivo problem-solving research
observation of people to determine how they find answers to complex issues in real-world situations
divergent thinking
method of generating ideas that is open-ended, involving a large number of potential solutions
group brainstorming
technique whereby people in a problem-solving group are encouraged to express all ideas without censorship
creative cognition
technique developed by Finke to train people to think imaginatively
preinventive form
object in Finke's creative cognition experiment that precedes the creation of a finished product
incubation
phenomenon of getting ideas after taking a "time-out" from working on a problem
mindfulness
paying attention on purpose, in the moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment
open monitoring (OM) meditation
achieving mindfulness by paying attention to whatever comes into the mind, and following that thought