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Problem Solving Barriers and Its Approaches

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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.

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