Problem_Solving_Simulation

Problem Solving Simulation How did you interpret the problem' The first step in problem solving is to interpret what the problem is asking me to solve. I was able to interpret by first having a visual representation. I imagined myself as the man in the problem there on the riverbank with my animals. This helped me to identify with the problem and it helped me to imagine what I was trying to accomplish; to get the three animals to the other side of the river one at a time without fighting. After identifying the problem and envisioning the problem scenario, I was able to say with confidence that I understood the problem. What strategy did you use and how did you evaluate your progress' Once I have interpreted the problem, the next steps are to select a solution strategy and evaluate progress toward my goal. The first solution strategy I used was trial and error. After a few attempts I began to get frustrated. Then I decided to turn to heuristics. This helped me to break the problem into subgoals; temporarily setting aside the main goal of getting all the animals to the other side of the river. Creating subgoals allowed me to focus on one animal at a time and then, in time, I was able to reach my ultimate goal and get all of the animals to the other side. I did not really evaluate my progress until I reached my goal. Until I had done that, I was unsure if I was on the right track to solving the problem. At one point I thought that maybe there was no way to solve the problem and almost gave up. The solution I came up with was to bring the cat to the other side and go back and get the dog. I brought the dog over, dropped him off, and picked the cat back up and brought the cat back to the other side. I then dropped the cat off, picked up the mouse and brought the mouse over to the other side. Then I went back for the cat. Did you encounter any obstacles while solving the problem' Yes. As mentioned before, I began to get very frustrated with the problem and with myself for not being able to solve it. At one point I began to think that there was no solution to the problem and that maybe the point of having me try it was to get me to use the different strategies mentioned in the chapter. Then I remembered reading about functional fixedness. I remembered reading that, “sometimes we get so enmeshed in the details of a problem that we lose sight of the obvious” (Morris & Maisto, 2002). I decided to try again and approach the problem with an open mind. I looked for ways, as suggested in the reading, to solve the problem even if those possibilities seem unproductive at first. This is likely the reason that it took me so long to find the solution because returning one of the animals to the other side, in this case the cat, seemed unproductive. Were you aware of this thought process as you worked through the problem' I can honestly say that I was not aware of my thought process as I worked through the problem. The only thought process that I was fully aware of was frustration. I have never been very good at problem solving. I will likely take longer than the average person to solve the same problem, but I don’t give up too easily. Eventually, I will figure out a solution. I have found that the best way to solve a problem that I am frustrated with, for me anyway, is to walk away from the problem and return later with a fresh mind. I also think more clearly when I am not frustrated. In the future this method should help me to come to a faster solution. In addition, I will try to use the strategies I have learned to help me to find solutions more quickly. Even the most complex problems can be solved, it is just a matter of finding the right strategy and taking the right approach. Reference: Morris, C. G., & Maisto, A. A. (2002). Psychology: An introduction (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River,       NJ: Prentice Hall.