Cognition and problem_solving

TOPIC 4

COGNITION AND PROBLEM SOLVING

COGNITION

What is cognition?

The intellectual process through which information is obtained, transformed, stored, retrieved and used.

3 Primary Facets of Cognition

1) Cognition processes information.

2) Cognition is active.

3) Cognition is useful and purposeful.

Reasoning

When we try to cognitively process information to reach specific conclusions.

2 types:1) Formal reasoning – deductive (valid

premise, valid conclusion)

2) Everyday reasoning – probabilities and truths about premises and conclusions

Intelligence

What is intelligence?

Individual’s ability to think rationally, understand complex ideas, act purposefully, learn from experience, and adapt effectively to the environment.

Theories of Intelligence

1. Spearman’s theory of General Intelligence

2. Horn and Cattell’s Two factor theory

3. Sternberg Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

4. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

5. Goleman’s Theory of Emotional Intelligence

1. Spearman’s Theory of General IntelligenceFactor analysis - used to examine a number of

mental aptitude tests.Scores on these tests were remarkably similar.People who performed well on one cognitive

test tended to perform well on other tests, while those who scored badly on one test tended to score badly on other.

He concluded that intelligence is general cognitive ability that could be measured and numerically expressed

g-factor: a general intelligence that governs the performance of all tasks.

s-factor: an individual mental task - the individual abilities that would make a person more skilled at a specific cognitive task

2. Horn and Cattell’s Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence1) Fluid Intelligence– drive the individual's ability to think

and act quickly, solve novel problems, and encode short-term memories

– abilities for reasoning, concept formation, adaptation, flexibility, and speed in information processing.

– determined by biological and genetic factors.

– used when one doesn’t know what to do

2. Horn and Cattell’s Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence

2) Crystallized Intelligence– knowledge, experiences, and general

information acquired over a lifetime– affected by schooling and training– personality factors, motivation and

educational and cultural opportunity are central to its development

3. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of IntelligenceComprises of three parts:

1) Componential Intelligence analytical giftedness abilities to think critically and analytically able to take apart problems and being able to see

solutions not often seen individuals with only this type are not as adept at

creating unique ideas of their own

3. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence2) Experiential Intelligence– ability to use and combine past experiences

creatively to solve new problems– novelty vs. automation– being skilled in one component does not

ensure that you are skilled in the other– synthetic giftedness is seen in creativity,

intuition, and a study of the arts– useful in creating new ideas to create and

solve new problems

3. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence3) Contextual Intelligence– process of adaptation, shaping, and

selection to create an ideal fit in the environment

– ability to function in practical, everyday social situations

– also known as ‘street smarts’– practical giftedness: practically gifted

people are superb in their ability to succeed in any setting i.e. they are survivors

4. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences 8 kinds of Intelligences:

a) Linguistic

b) Logical-mathematical

c) Spatial

d) Musical

e) Bodily – kinesthetic

f) Intrapersonal

g) Interpersonal

h) Naturalist

5. Emotional Intelligence

Goleman (1995) suggests that emotional intelligence consists of five major parts:

1)Knowing our own emotions

2)Managing our own emotions

3)Motivating ourselves

4)Recognizing others’ emotions

5)Handling relationships

PROBLEM SOLVING

PROBLEM SOLVING

Definition:

A series of thinking processes we use to reach a goal that is not readily attainable.

PROBLEM SOLVING

3 steps:

1) Identify the Problem

Define the problem in clear and specific terms (in a way that can be solved).

a) Develop a problem statement

b) Identify a “desired state” or goal

1) Identify the Problem

Develop a problem statementObjectiveLimited in scope (specific)Written in a way that everyone can

understandAvoid including any “implied

cause” or “implied solution”

1) Identify the ProblemExample:

The Customer Satisfaction index has declined from 89 to 81 in the last 12 months.

Competitor advertising and our recent product problem have reduced customer satisfaction.

Identify the Problem

Example:

The product selection process needs to be revamped and streamlined.

1) Identify the Problem

Identify a Desired State or GoalWhere you want to be when the

problem is solved.Example:

The Customer Satisfaction Index will be at least 89 six months from now, and will not decline thereafter.

2) Understanding and Organizing the Elements of the ProblemAnalyze the cause of the problem

where questions need to be asked and information needs to be gathered and sifted.

a) Identify potential cause(s)

b) Determine the most likely cause

c) Identify the true root cause (why, why, why?)

3)Generating and Evaluating Alternative SolutionsGenerate ideas and alternatives for

solving the problem (requires maximum level of creativity).

a) Generate a list of possible solutions

b) Determine the best solution

c) Develop action plan for its implementation

d) Implement Solution and Evaluate Progress

Ways to Generate Solutions

1) Trial and Error Keep trying until one finds a

solution. Can be time-consuming. Does not guarantee that a solution

will be discovered.

Ways to Generate Solutions

2) AlgorithmsFollow a step by step procedure

that can guarantee a correct solution.

Less creative.

Ways to Generate Solutions

3) HeuristicsShortcutsQuick, but sometimes in error.2 types:

a) Representative heuristicsThe strategy of making judgments about the unknown on the assumption that it is similar to what we know.

Ways to Generate Solutions

b) Availability heuristic

Reasoning based on the information that is available in memory.

Ways to Generate Solutions

4) InsightThe solution seems to pop in mind

all of a sudden. Recognition of previously unseen relationships.

Perhaps, when you have problems, it is good to take a break, to withdraw yourself from the problem itself until suddenly you will see the solutions.

Barriers to Problem Solving

1) Problem Solving Set A mental barrier that occurs when

people apply only methods that have worked in the past rather than trying innovative ones.

Barriers to Problem Solving

2) Functional fixednessA mental barrier that occurs when

people are unable to recognize novel (new) uses for an object because they are so familiar with its common use.

Stephen Covey :

Six paradigms of thinking:

Win/Win

Win/Lose

Lose/Win

Lose/Lose

Win

Win/Win or No Deal