A heuristic
- the use of knowledge and/or prior experience to efficently solve problema or make judgements
ex: recongnizing that OAMTNITVIO has "TION" in it, and using that knowlege and familiarity with that letter pattern to solve a problem
An algorithm
- use of established formulas or procedures to solve problems
ex: Running through all the possible letter combinations of OAMTNITVIO until the solution is found
Insight
- the sudden realization of a problem's solution
- observed in Wolfgang Kohler's 1924 study on monkeys (unit 6)
Heuristics vs. Algorithms
- Heuristic (mental shortcut) may be faster; but they require correct knowledge & experience in order to work
- Algorithms (will find answer, but takes longer) a correct solution is likely (w/ proper application of the procedure); can be slower
Cognitive Bias (faulty heuristics)
The incorrect use of a heuristic, leading to errors in judgement or decision making
The availability heuristic
- Relying on information that is easiest to remember, comes to mind quickly or we are the most familiar with, to make a judgement or decision
ex: assuming shark attacks are more common, than they really are, after recalling a recent news report about them
The representative heuristic
- Making a decision or judgement, by only relying on a mental prototype
- a "typical" example of what a person, situation, etc. should be like
ex: assuming a tall person must be a good basketball player
Overconfidence bias (effect)
- tendency to be more confident, than correct about an outcome
The Mental Set
Tendency to re-use a solution, to a problem, that worked in the past; when a new solution is needed
Functional fixedness
Inability to perceive a new use for a tool, beyond the use it was designed/intended for
Creative Thought
Applying, or combining, new thoughts and/or behaviors to solve problems
- Creative thought involves divergent thinking
- thinking of new & varied solutions to problems
- contrasts with convergent thinking
Convergent thinking
Developing a single solution to a problem or selecting a preexisting solution
Creativity Assessments
Tests designed to identify divergent thinking
J.P. Guilford's Alternative Uses Test
- During WW2, Guilford designed tests to identify, potential officers for the US Air Force which led to an interest in intelligence testing
- During the 1950s-1960s his research into standardized intelligence tests, like the Stanford-Binet IQ Test
- 1967
Remote Associates Test
- First developed in 1959, the tests of questions in which three common words, that appear unrelated, are given. The person being tested must think of a fourth word that is somehow related to each of the first three words
ex: Car-Swimming-Cue: Pool
Walker
Tolerance Test of Creative Thinking
Built on J.P. Guilford's awoke, the Tolerance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) Test divergent thinking and other problem-solving skills with an emphasis on the uniqueness and amount of detail given in response