The document provides an overview of problem solving, defining it as the cognitive process of finding solutions to challenges, highlighting its importance in human development and as an indicator of cognitive ability. It identifies key obstacles to effective problem solving, such as mental set, functional fixedness, lack of motivation, and confirmation bias, and outlines various strategies including trial and error, algorithms, heuristics, and insight. The document concludes with an example illustrating problem solving using a scenario involving a dog and a rope.

1. Problem Solving An
Introduction
Dr Rajesh Verma
Assistant Professor in Psychology
Govt. College Adampur, Hisar (Haryana)

2. Some Quotes
“Man needs difficulties in life because they
are necessary to enjoy the success”
“In a day, when you don’t come across a
problem, you can be sure that you are
travelling in a wrong path”
“We can not solve our problems with the
same thinking we used when we created
them”

3. Definition
“The process of finding solution to problems”.
“The cognitive process starts in the event of some
problems or hurdles and ends when a solution is found or
goal is reached”.
Problem solving is “thinking that is directed
toward the solving of a
specific problem that
involves both the
formation of responses
and the selection among
possible responses”
(Solso, 2006).

4. Introduction
A thirsty dog has 6-foot rope tied to its neck, and a pan of
water is 10 feet away. How would the dog reach the pan? (Solso,
2006, p 453).
Problem solving is an index of high level processing
ability. All the scientific, art and literary development are the
consequence of problem solving. Human beings [in fact all living
beings] face problems & challenges at every step. And
interestingly they solve these issues by devising various strategies
through cognitive ability. It is a special type of thinking that
involves visualization and several other types of ideas and
concept utilizing cognitive resources.

5. Problem solving has its own problems! The major
obstacles that inhibits finding solution of the problems
are: -
(i) Mental Set,
(ii) Functional Fixedness,
(iii) Lack of Motivation, &
(iv) Confirmation bias.
(i) Mental Set – It’s a
state of mind to deal with
the problem by adopting
pre-tested and tried mental operations (Solso, 2006).
Depending upon the nature of stimulus, mental set
enhances the perception and thinking and also inhibits
the same.

6. (ii) Functional Fixedness – Remaining fixed on a
usual function of a thing. The term was given by
Karl Duncker in 1945. The
tendency to perceive things
in terms of their familiar
uses only (Solso, 2006). This
tendency creates hurdles in
using items beyond their
common use. For example if
you use pencil for making
flyover for ants, it means
you have overcome
functional fixedness.

7. (iii) Lack of Motivation – A person is good at
problem solving by virtue of her cognitive ability
but lacks motivation to
do so. In this case it
becomes difficult to
arrive at a best-fit
solution. Sometimes
people give-up easily
and stop trying. All
this is attributed to
lack of motivation.

8. (iv) Confirmation Bias – Confirmation bias means
confirming to the ideas and beliefs of self in
forthcoming information. It is a type of cognitive
bias and selective
interpretation [as per own
belief] of observed
information. The bias is
stronger for desired
outcomes, for emotionally
charged issues, and for
deeply-entrenched beliefs
(wikipedia).

9. Characteristics of Problem Solving
1. Each problem demands specific solution.
2. Sometimes a particular solution works for several
problems.
3. Problem
solving is not
unique to human
beings.
4. Problem
solving involves
selection of best
solution from the
pool of possible
solutions.

10. 5. Problem solving ability is the indicator of
relatively better cognitive ability.
6. Problem solving is the function of observation,
perception, intelligence, creativity and thinking.
7. Problem solving is goal directed thinking having
initial and end state.

11. Some Important Problem Solving Strategies
(i) Trial and Error (Mechanical Solutions),
(ii) Algorithms,
(iii) Heuristics, &
(iv) Insight.
(i) Trial and Error – In this
method various solutions to a
problem are tried successively
until the best one is arrived at.
For example trying several
passwords for your email
account.

12. (ii) Algorithms – An algorithm is a series of well-
defined steps which gives a method for solving a certain
type of problem. The step-by-step specific procedure is
applied to solve a specific problem. This method
ensures correct solution but time consuming. The
mathematical formulae are the best examples of
algorithms. The
computers use this
method to arrive at a
solutions. Algorithms
are not always
practical.

13. (iii) Heuristics – Also known as ‘rule of thumb’.
An educated guess based on prior experiences.
Most of the time human beings tends to use
heuristics for problem solving because it is easier
and faster method. But heuristics not always
lead to a correct solution. Heuristics are of
different types such as
representative, back-
walk from the goal,
converting goal into
sub-goals, and
means-end-analysis.

14. (iv) Insight – Wolfgang Kohler (1917) suggested
this method of problem solving in his famous book
‘The mentality of apes’. When a solution to a
problem comes instantly.
We generally call it ‘aha’
moment and in Hindi it
is famously called as
दिमाग की बत्ती जलना। In
insight the brain tends to
reorganise the problem
when busy with something
else (Durso et al., 1994 ).

15. Solution to the problem
The dog would walk to
it. The rope was tied only
to his neck!!

16. References:
1. NCERT, XI Psychology Text book.
2. Solso, R. S . (2006). Cognitive Psychology. New Delhi:
Pearson.
3. Ciccarelli, S. K. & Meyer, G. E. (2016). Psychology. New
Delhi: Pearson.
4. Durso, F., Rea, C.
& Dayton, T. (1994).
Graph-theoretic
confirmation of
restructuring during
insight. Psychological
Science, 5, 94-98.

17. vermasujit@yahoo.com
अगली चचचा
Stages of Problem
Solving