Problem-Solving and Creativity AP Psychology

Building Blocks of Thought Mental Images Concepts Schemas Scripts

Mental Images Def – a mental picture of a previously stored sensory experience Can be visual – not strictly though Visual – what a rainbow looks like Sound – roaring race car Smell – barbequed chicken Feel – warm breeze

Concepts Def –group objects, events, or situations that share similar features and characteristics Artificial (formal) concepts - Defined by a specific set of rules or features Example - Geometric Shapes (triangles, squares, rectangles) Natural concepts – formed by everyday experiences Examples – vehicles, birds, fruit

Prototype Def – most typical instance of concept Examples (Concept (prototype)) Vehicle (car) Bird (robin) Fruit (apple)

Schema Def – organized mental framework about a topic, event, object, idea, setting or group of people Built from experiences! Important role in how we learn to categorize different groups of people Example – we learn different schemas for racial groups (can include stereotypes and prejudices) Example To a student – “high school” Schema – classrooms, cafeterias, science labs, band rooms, athletic fields

Schema

Script Def – type of schema that involves a typical sequence of behavior expected at an everyday event Examples We have scripts for… Riding a school bus, attending a class, going to a Christmas party, taking a date to the movie

Problem-Solving Strategies Algorithms Def – a logical step-by-step procedure that, if followed correctly, will eventually solve a specific problem Example – Mathematical Formulas Area of triangle – (½ base x height)

Problem-Solving Strategies Heuristics Def – a general rule of thumb or shortcut that is used to reduce the number of possible solutions Examples – College search You could visit all possible choices (algorithm) You could use a heuristic - search small liberal arts colleges located within 300 miles

Heuristics I only read books that have won awards

Obstacles to Solving Problems Mental Sets Functional Fixedness Confirmation Bias The Availability Heuristic The Representative Heuristic

Mental Sets Def – tendency to continue to use a belief system and problem-solving strategies that worked in the past Example – President Hoover’s response to GD Hoover’s beliefs (mental sets) emphasized individualism, importance of private charities and laissez-faire attitude toward government Because of this mental set, he failed to adopt new economic models that stressed massive spending programs to revive the economy (like FDR)

Mental Sets

Functional Fixedness Def – tendency to think of an object as functioning only in its usual or customary way As a result, individuals often do not see unusual or innovative uses for familiar objects Example A rainstorm approaches as you are on a hike. You get soaked because you did not think of cutting holes into trash bags to use as an improvised raincoat

Confirmation Bias Def – preference for information that confirms preexisting positions or beliefs, while ignoring or discounting contradictory evidence Example – Christopher Columbus Searching for a new water route to the Indies, Columbus bumped into the Caribbean He was so certain that he had reached the Indies that he called the native people Indians

Confirmation Bias

The Availability Heuristic Def – Judging the likelihood of an event based on readily available personal experiences or news reports Example – Mega Millions MM creates vivid memories by running TV commercials of ecstatic winners. By ignoring the millions of losers, the advertisements help create an unrealistic availability heuristic

Availability Heuristic

The Representative Heuristic Def – Judging the likelihood of an even based on how well it matches a typical example Example Kara is attractive, fun-loving, enjoys tanning and attending rock concerts When people were asked whether she was a teacher or a model – most say model Even though there are far more females teachers than models People picked model, because she meets that prototype

Representative Heuristics

Creativity Def – a mental process that produces novel solutions to problems

Divergent Thinking Def – type of thinking in which problem solvers devise a number of possible alternative approaches (a major element of creativity) Example – Great Depression Hoover failed to improve because he was locked into mental sets FDR embraced divergent thinking when he proposed a New Deal

Divergent Thinking

Characteristics of Creative Thinking Creative people… Are independent thinkers who resist social pressures to conform Display a willingness to grow, change and take risks Are internally motivated and display an ability to focus their full attention on a problem Are drawn to complex, challenging problems