Problem-Solving Process in Cognitive Psychology - Report Example

Abstract

Cognitive psychology defines a problem as a difficulty that prevents an individual from achieving a specific goal. Problem-solving is the process of deploying mental and behavioral strategies to overcome the difficulties in a problematic situation; hence, attaining desired goals. The problem-solving process comprise of seven steps including recognizing a problem, understanding the problem, selecting a solution strategy, organizing knowledge, allocating resources, monitoring progress, and evaluating final results. The problem-solving process can be used to tackle both well-defined problems and ill-defined problems. Also, the problem-solving process can be deployed using problem-solving methods including the productive method and the reproductive method.

Definition of Problem

In cognitive psychology, a problem is defined as a situation of internal conflict within an individual that arises whenever an individual encounters an obstruction or a contradiction as the individual tries to transition from an initial and undesirable state to a final and desirable state of affairs (Dostal, 2015). A problem arises whenever an individual has a determinate aim but lacks a clear way to achieve the aim. In real life, problems may include trying to complete challenging assignments from the professor, trying to repair a broken car, or lack a parking space while attending a football match. A problem is characterized by disordered or undesirable conditions that creates active tension within an individual; hence, motivates an individual to find ways to achieve desirable order of conditions (Fontanari, 2017). Thus, solving a problem requires the use of thoughts and behaviors to navigate the contractions and disorders; hence, attain the desirable state of conditions.

Definition of Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is a process through which an individual becomes aware of the existence of a problematic situation and engages cognitive and behavioral responses to eliminate the problematic conditions. The abilities to discern the existence of a problem and the capacities to deploy cognitive and behavioral responses to respond to a problem vary from one individual to another (Pyc & Roediger, 2012). Thus, some individuals can solve problems better than others. Fortunately, cognitive psychology has mapped out effective steps of solving problems; hence, allowing all persons to solve problems in informed and procedural manners (Engel, 2008). Overall, cognitive psychology defines problem-solving process as the deployment of systematic and procedural cognitions and behaviors that facilitate the disappearance or reduction of conflicts, uncertainties, and difficulties in an individual’s internal and external surroundings.

Problem-Solving Steps

• Problem recognition

Becoming aware of a problematic situation involves evaluate surrounding circumstances to determine whether there are real obstacles preventing the achievement of desirable goals (Adair, 2013). Problem recognition, also called the perceptibility of a problem, is a thought process that involves tracking the disordered conditions to uncover the root cause of the disorders. In an example of a failed grade in an English test, problem recognition is appreciating the fact that the grade in the test is lower than the desirable grade. Proper recognition of a problem is central to the correct execution of the six subsequent steps of problem-solving process (Alfred & Krulik, 2008).

• Mental representation of a problem

Mentally representing a problem entails understanding the depth and breadth of a problematic situation, particularly in regards to a problem’s root causes. Mentally discerning a problem involves asking how, when and why a problematic situation occurred (Ellis & Hunt2004). The representation step calls for the use of multiple perspectives to foster objectivity. For example, a student who fails in an English test needs to understand how he failed to know the correct answer to each wronged question and the reasons why he or she could not recall the correct answers during the test.

• Developing a solution strategy

Upon correctly understanding a problem, including discerning the causes of a problem, an individual progresses to determine the desirable strategy to attain a solution. In the case of a failed English test, a student may determine the strategy for passing the next test as allocating more time to studying for the test or hiring a part-time tutor to explain difficult concepts in the English course.

• Organizing knowledge about a problem

Organizing existing knowledge about a problem involves understanding the effectiveness of the selected strategy towards solving the underlying problem (Johnson, 2016). In the example of a failed English test, organizing knowledge about the need to allocate more time to studying may involve recalling past instances when elimination of time-wasting activities had led to improved grades. Proper organization of knowledge about a problem may necessitate the revision of a solution strategy selected in the preceding step (Robertson, 2016).

• Allocating resources to solving a problem

Solving a problem requires both mental and physical resources (Banks, Berger & Pezdek, 2013). For example, allocating more time to studying for the English test requires mental recourses in terms of increased concentration during study times and physical resources including purchase of additional books or purchase of study furniture to aid during the studying period.

• Monitoring progress towards the desired solution

Monitoring progress involves taking periodic measurements to determine the closeness of the solution strategy towards achieving desired goals (Holmes, Houwer & Hughes, 2017). In the case of an English test, monitoring progress of the additional study time may entail taking a sample online English test every one week and tracking the scores of the tests to determine if there is any significant improvement. Monitoring progress is crucial in adjusting resources allocated to the strategy appropriately (Adair, 2013).

• Evaluating final results

Evaluating the final results involves comparing whether the solution strategy and the resources allocated to solving the problem caused any significant improvement between the initial conditions and the final conditions of a problematic situation. Evaluation of the results will inform whether the first six steps of the problem-solving process were successful or the steps need to be repeated for better results.

Types of Problems

The problem-solving process outlined above can be used to solve two common types of problems in cognitive psychology including the well-defined problems and the ill-defined problems. Well-defined problems are characterized by clear goals, identifiable obstacles to the goals, and precise paths of the solution strategies (Chiew & Wang, 2010). For example, the problem of failing an English text has a clear goal (pass the next English text), has identifiable obstacles (failure to comprehend English concepts during studies), and has a precise path for the solution strategy (allocate more time to studying and understanding the English concepts for the next test).

On the contrary, ill-defined problems are characterized by identifiable goals and precise obstacles but lack of a clear path for the solution strategy. In situations of an ill-defined problem, an individual knows what he/she wants but does not know how to achieve the goals (Kim & Kwan, 2015). Defining and understanding ill-defined problems is harder that defining and understanding well-defined problematic situations (Adair, 2013). In real-life, an example of an ill-defined problem is finding the right life-partner for marriage. Ill-defined problems often have multiple solution strategies and multiple ‘right’ results.

Methods of Problem-Solving

Problem solvers can solve both well-defined and ill-defined problems using the reproductive method or the productive method. The productive method advocates for the use of inventive and creative solution strategies to solving a problem (Johnson, 2016). The Gestalt approach is an example of a productive method of problem-solving. The productive method of problem-solving start with fixating on traditional strategies of problem solving and subsequently gaining new and inventive insights when the traditional strategies fail to provide optimal results. The productive method of problem-solving is responsible for most scientific inventions made throughout human history. The insightful and creative aspects of the productive method lead to better and advanced solutions to problems.

On the other hand, the reproductive method of problem-solving involves using learned solution strategies to solve current problems (Davidson & Sternberg 2003). Throughout history, humans have found strategies of addressing common problems through trial-and-error approaches. Some solutions from the trial-and-error approaches have been adopted as widespread solution strategies for solving problems throughout the world. For example, the use of aircrafts has become a reproductive method of solving the problem of air transportation around the world. The reproductive method involves using strategies that have been applied successfully in the past to solve immediate problems, regardless of whether or not the past strategies yield optimal results (Davidson & Sternberg, 2003). Overall, the reproductive method involves following a strategy known to yield a specific result while the productive method involves experimenting with creative strategies to produce new results.

Conclusion

Problems are inevitable in human lives. Fortunately, cognitive psychologists have mapped out the types of problems and the procedures and methods of solving problems to facilitate the dissemination of the knowledge on problem-solving to learners; hence, enable effective solving of problems in day-to-day lives of individuals. The problem-solving steps provide a guideline for effective tackling of problematic situations encountered in daily lives. Overall, the problem-solving process in cognitive psychology is important in helping individuals become better in tackling challenges that they encounter in both professional and personal lives.