The document discusses barriers to problem solving and approaches to overcoming them. It identifies 5 common barriers: confirmation bias, mental set, functional fixedness, unnecessary constraints, and irrelevant information. It then provides approaches to better problem solving, such as remaining calm, not overcomplicating issues, using available tools, checking work, and practicing problem solving skills. The overall purpose is to help readers identify and address potential roadblocks in their problem solving.
The document discusses barriers to problem solving and approaches to overcoming them. It identifies 5 common barriers: confirmation bias, mental set, functional fixedness, unnecessary constraints, and irrelevant information. It then provides approaches to better problem solving, such as remaining calm, not overcomplicating issues, using available tools, checking work, and practicing problem solving skills. The overall purpose is to help readers identify and address potential roadblocks in their problem solving.
The document discusses barriers to problem solving and approaches to overcoming them. It identifies 5 common barriers: confirmation bias, mental set, functional fixedness, unnecessary constraints, and irrelevant information. It then provides approaches to better problem solving, such as remaining calm, not overcomplicating issues, using available tools, checking work, and practicing problem solving skills. The overall purpose is to help readers identify and address potential roadblocks in their problem solving.
The document discusses barriers to problem solving and approaches to overcoming them. It identifies 5 common barriers: confirmation bias, mental set, functional fixedness, unnecessary constraints, and irrelevant information. It then provides approaches to better problem solving, such as remaining calm, not overcomplicating issues, using available tools, checking work, and practicing problem solving skills. The overall purpose is to help readers identify and address potential roadblocks in their problem solving.
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Problem solving
barriers and its
approaches By - Anas Bin Saddik Khan A3104616302 Vasu Mittal A3104616323 Parag Jain A3104616307 Aswad Gul Noori A3104616383 Shlok Gupta A3104616329 B.Com hons. Section E Batch of 2016 - 19 Barriers to problem solving 1. Confirmation bias 2. Mental set 3. Functional fixedness 4. Unnecessary constraints 5. Irrelevant information Confirmation Bias This is about not following the problem solving method, and so introducing bias. This can be the result of missing steps out, or not using them correctly. Confirmation Bias arises when the approach taken is to confirm a preconceived solution. Basically, you would have found the solution before you found the problem, and perceive the problem solving method through this lens (perspective and intellectual blocks). For example, if you feel you already know everything about the problem, you wont perform research, or only research things that confirm the appropriateness of the solution you want to use. Mental Set This comes from relying too heavily on heuristics the clichs of problem solving, like a rule of thumb or common sense as a way to solve a problem, rather than actively looking for the best or simplest solution. It is about reusing what has been successful in the past, rather than assessing and evaluating the problem. The heuristic for mental mind set could be called why reinvent the wheel. It relies on previous experiences to direct how a problem can be solved. This could be an intellectual block, as the problem solver is not prepared to learn new problem solving skills, and emotionally relies on familiarity to feel comfortable with a solution. Functional Fixedness This is about not thinking creatively. It is a narrow mind-set. Functional Fixedness comes from people thinking that an object has only one function. For example; a jug can only be used to pour fluids; it cant be used as a mixing bowl. It can be summarized as You cant do that. Functional Fixedness affects the time taken to make a decision. If you dont have a mixing bowl, but wont use the jug, you waste time going to buy a new mixing bowl. Because it relates to objects, often caused by an intellectual or environmental block. Unnecessary Constraints This barrier causes unwarranted boundaries to be placed on a problem. It links to trying to solve a problem using previous experience of what has worked in a situation and trying to force it to work in the current situation, rather than looking for a new solution. This inhibits creativity. The barrier can be removed by insight. Most problem solving methods focus on developing insight into a problem through information gathering, evaluation and assessment. Unnecessary Constraints could be caused by an intellectual block, or an emotional one causing an over reliance on the known. An example would be trying to improve a service using current procedures and processes, rather than find a solution and design new procedures and processes. Irrelevant Information This is information that is not needed to solve the problem, often caused by people diverging from the problem itself, onto other topics they feel are related or presenting too much information. Irrelevant information hinders problem solving as it slows the process down, can cause confusion or misunderstandings. A brainstorming session can be impaired because people want to go off topic. This is why many brainstorming sessions have a facilitator to get things back on track. When gathering information, it can be getting distracted and looking at something that is interesting but not useful. It can result in too much information being collected, and people having trouble absorbing it. For example, giving a problem-solving group full copies of all the information found, rather than summarising it as headlines, a graph or a mind map. This could be an expression block people struggle to summarise the information, an emotional one people fear they wont have enough information, or even a cultural one full papers are always presented in meetings. There are a range of barriers to problem solving based on cognitive blocks and practical social and physical jobs. These can be perceptual, emotional, intellectual, expressive, environmental, cultural. Cognitive blocks are our ways of thinking and feeling. These contribute to how we approach and carry out problem solving, leading to barriers. They usually introduce bias, errors, and result in imperfect solutions. These barriers can be removed by awareness of the pitfalls in problem solving, and training in how to use a problem solving method correctly. Approaches to Problem-Solving 1. Try to remain calm 2. Don't Over-complicate 3. Use Meta-knowledge 4. Use what tools you have 5. Don't let technology be a crutch 6. Figuring out strange problems 7. Be aware of your time 8. Check your work 9. Try to stay focused 10. Practice 11. Every problem has a purpose Try to remain calm When you see a problem you don't know how to do, don't panic. If you find yourself panicking, try to calm down; believe in your abilities. Don't Over-complicate Start out with the assumption that the problem will be easy It's easier to start this way and be proven wrong than to start thinking it's hard and be prove right. If you know that something always has the same answer and need to find that answer, try checking the simplest example. If an equation always has the same value, try plugging in a number that will make things simple (like 0 or 1) Use Meta-knowledge Sometimes there is additional information at your disposal hidden nearby. If you're in a chapter about x, it stands to reason that you will have to do something related to x. Other, similar problems often have useful information. Use what tools you have If you haven't learned a skill, it is unlikely you will be able to use it on a problem. Material from later chapters in a textbook should not be required to do problems from earlier chapters We live in the information age, if nobody seems able to help, you can still try learning on your own. Don't let technology be a crutch Technology is around to make our lives easier. If your technology is doing something for you that you don't understand, it is not doing what it is supposed to. Even assuming you always have the technology to do something nearby, knowing how it works will make you better able to use it. Figuring out strange problems Try to apply what you know until you get somewhere The problem might be a weird phrasing of an easy problem. Try to figure out any implications of the given information Be aware of your time If a problem is taking too long, you may be thinking about it the wrong way If you have a set amount of time to do the problem (such as on a test), you may have to decide if the problem is worth your time Don't rush through the problem Simple mistakes are even easier to make when you go too fast Check your work Make sure everything matches up after each step you take (it's easy to lose a symbol somewhere). Sometimes it is better to have someone else check your work so that your mind doesn't fill in any gaps Try to stay focused If you find yourself spacing out, try approaching your problem from another perspective If you really can't seem to keep your mind on the problem, you may want to take a break if you have the time Practice As with most things, the more you practice, the more you hone your problem solving skill As you practice, your understanding will likely also improve Every problem has a purpose Just because you can't see the purpose doesn't mean it isn't there. Some purposes are more trivial than others.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Advanced Strategies and Reasoning Skills To Increase Your Decision Making A Systematic Approach To Master Logic Avoid Mistakes and Be A Creative Problem So