Problem Solving, Thinking, and Intelligence
The article describes a few common biases that are important to be aware of. Go through the brief quiz at the end and see how you do. If you miss any questions, go back and re-read that section. Think about how you might apply the concepts in that section so that the ideas will make sense and stick with you. Work through the "Personal
Application Question:" Which types of bias do you recognize in your decision-making processes? How has this bias affected how you've made decisions in the past, and how can you use your awareness of it to improve your decisions making skills in
the future?
Consider a specific time when you showed bias in coming to a conclusion about a person or event. How did you realize your thinking process was biased? How can you use this knowledge to avoid making this type of biased decision in the future?
Critical Thinking Questions
Answers
1. What is functional fixedness and how can overcoming it help you solve problems?
Functional fixedness occurs when you cannot see a use for an object other than the use for which it was intended. For example, if you need something to hold up a tarp in the rain, but only have a pitchfork, you must overcome your expectation that a pitchfork can only be used for garden chores before you realize that you could stick it in the ground and drape the tarp on top of it to hold it up.
2. How does an algorithm save you time and energy when solving a problem?
An algorithm is a proven formula for achieving a desired outcome. It saves time because if you follow it exactly, you will solve the problem without having to figure out how to solve the problem. It is a bit like not reinventing the wheel.