Problem Solving And Decision Making Chapter 8 Definition

Problem Solving And Decision Making Chapter 8

Definition o Problem solving refers to active efforts to discover what must be done to achieve a goal that is not readily attainable.

Types of Problems (Greeno) o Problems of Inducing Structure o Problems of Arrangement o Problems of Transformation

Approaches to Problem Solving o Trial & Error o Heuristics n Forming Subgoals (Tower of Hanoi) n Working Backwards (Water Lilies) n Using Analogies (Tumor) n Reenvisioning the Problem

Barriers to Effective Problem Solving o Irrelevant (Distracting) Information o Functional Fixedness (Screw Driver) o Mental Set o Unnecessary Constraints

Decision Making o Two types of decisions n n Making choices (selecting among alternatives) Taking chances (deciding amidst uncertainty)

Selecting Among Alternatives o Strategies n Additive n Subtractive (Elimination of Aspects)

Making “Risky” Decisions o Risky Decisions (Tversky & Kahneman) n Factors Influencing Risky Decisions o o Using Probabilities n Expected Value n Subjective Utility Factors that Affect Probability Estimates n o Heuristics o Availability o Representativeness n Ignoring Base Rates n The Conjunction Fallacy n Alternative Outcomes Effect Framing the Question

Humans as Decision Makers Classic View Irrational Prone to errors & mistakes Mentally limited Evolutionary View Specialized cognition is adaptive Rational Fast and Frugal heuristics work Dual Process Theories Intuitive Thinking Rational Thinking

Reducing Regret after Decisions $20 Told next person tasks were fun and interesting Cognitive Dissonance Theory Asked how much they enjoyed experiment Boring Tasks Told next person tasks were fun and interesting $1

Making Decisions in Groups o Group Polarization o Groupthink

Group Polarization- tendency to shift toward more extreme positions after group discussion Risky Neutral Cautious

Groupthink o Groupthink- syndrome of bad decision-making 12. 17