07+-+Question

Describe the means/end analysis heuristic.

 * Student Name: Karsten Ladner**

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The means/end analysis heuristic is an approach to problem solving in which the person envisions the goal, analyzes the possible options to attain that goal, and chooses the means which will achieve the goal. For example, if you are trying to bake a cake in the shortest amount of time possible, then you will look through recipes until you find a recipe that does not take a long time to bake and uses only ingredients which you have on hand. The idea of this heuristic is to start with an end goal in mind, consider possible approaches, and act accordingly.

"Thought." //Britannica School. // Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2015. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. < [] >.
 * Citations**:

"Cognitive Psychology." Problem Solving -. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2015.

Cognition: How Your Mind Can Amaze and Betray You - Crash Course Psychology #15. Dir. Nick Jenkins. By Kathleen Yale. Perf. Hank Greene. Youtube.com. N.p., 10 May 2014. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.
 * Media Citation:**

Comment by Hung Jie Song on February 5, 2015: That cake analogy really nails the question, Karsten! Similar to baking a cake, another example of the means/end analysis heuristic would be searching for a hotel to stay at in another country during a vacation. You would browse for the most affordable price at first before settling on the quality of the rooms, so your initial decision would be fixated upon the price. Again, great answer, Karsten!

Citation: " Means-ends analysis." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2015. Web.