02+-+Question

Name: Micah Martens


There are many potential steps employed in problem solving. One step we have all employed in problem solving is trial and error. An example of trial and error would be if you didn't know at what temperature water boiled at so you increased the heat of the stove by 1 degree every 5 minutes until you reached 100 degrees and the water boiled. Another problem solving step is following an algorithm, or a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a problem. An example of utilizing an algorithm to solve a problem would be if you forgot the combination for your locker, so you tried every possible number in every possible position and eventually you find the right permutation of numbers. This method, however, is very time consuming, so unless you are supercomputer, or the problem is simply, you generally would not use an algorithm to problem solve. The most common step employed in problem solving is probably the heuristic, which is a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgement and solve problems. An example of a heuristic would be if you were asked to arrange the letters "RMAEAC" into a meaningful word, and you were able to cut down the possibilities by making the common sense judgement that no word begins with the letters CM. While heuristics allow us to arrive at a conclusion much quicker, they are also considerably more error prone, as they lack the methodical, lapidary precision of an algorithm. Yet another step in problem solving, less employed and more serendipitously stumbled upon, is that of insight, often described as a sudden flash of novel inspiration pertaining to the solution to a problem. This step deviates from the methodical approach of heuristics and algorithms, and cannot be relied on to consistently provide solutions.

Citations:

Myers, David G. //Psychology //. Eighth ed. New York: Worth, 2007. Print.

"Problem-Solving Strategies: Algorithms and Heuristics." //Problem-Solving Strategies: Algorithms and Heuristics //. Education.com, Inc., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.

Image citation:  Albert Einstein Problem Solving. Digital image. //Fearmastery Blog//. Blog, n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2015.   Comment BY; David Jung  I might be saying this wrong, but the question asked "the steps employed in problem solving." Micah, you have written a very good list of all the different methods of problem solving, but I think the steps employed would be the following: 1) First, the input phase. You need to understand what the problem is before you attempt to solve it. 2) Second, a processing phase where you and your brain processes the problem and tries to figure out what the best solution is to the problem. 3) Third, the output phase, where you act out your solution to the problem. 4) Lastly, because your choice of action will have consequences, you will have a review phase to review your actions and see if your choice was the best in solving that problem.  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I might be wrong and your answer might be right, but these are the steps to problem solving that I found. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Thanks :) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Citations: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">"Problem Solving and Decision Making:." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Problem Solving and Decision Making: //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">. Web. 5 Feb. 2015.