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Problem Solving
PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem solving on some level is a part of everyday life and not just something applicable to subjects like mathematics. Problem solving depends first on identifying what the problem is. Then comes a problem-solving strategy, in which some plan of action is developed in order to solve the problem. There are different ways of approaching a problem, such as using trial and error.
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There are several approaches to problem solving. One of these is trial and error, which involves using different options until one works. Another is the algorithm strategy, which is a step-by-step approach. A third approach is heuristic, which involves working backwards and breaking up a task into different steps.
A heuristic approach is generally a rule of thumb approach. It is used when there is little time to make a decision and when there is too much information to process. It can also be used when there isn t enough information to make a decision. The heuristic approach is used to break a large task into the smallest steps manageable. Writing a paper by getting an outline, writing a rough draft, and completing the final paper is an example of using a heuristic approach.
One pitfall to problem solving is called functional fixedness. It involves the inability to see an object as being useful for anything other than what it was originally designed for. People who can think outside the box and use divergent thinking are better at overcoming this pitfall.
Another pitfall is called anchoring bias. It involves focusing on just one piece of information to make a decision on something rather than on the totality of the information. Still another is the confirmation bias, which is the tendency to focus on those things that confirm the person s existing beliefs. Hindsight bias involves the believe that something witnessed was predictable when it was not. A representative bias is the unintentional stereotyping of something or someone. The availability bias is when a decision is based on an example that might be faulty or based on a faulty precedent.
