Factors affecting problem solving thinkingPSYCHOLOGY

PROBLEM SOLVING THINKING

Problem solving thinking is highly complex form of behavior. Involving the use of such

symbolic processes as images and concepts of various types. It is usually a problem

which sets us thinking about its solution and in problem solving thinking we also recall

the experience and organize them in various ways to reach a solution each such

organization is actually a tentative answer or a hypotheses which may be tested and

rejected if unsatisfactory an accepted if satisfactory. There are many approaches to

problem solving, depending on the nature of the problem and the people involved in the

problem. The more traditional, rational approach is typically used and involves, eg,

clarifying description of the problem, analyzing causes, identifying alternatives, assessing

each alternative, choosing one, implementing it, and evaluating whether the problem was

solved or not.

FACTORS AFFECTING PROBLEM SOLVING

1. MOTIVATION :

Man came into this world endowed with peculiar genetic constitution, psychological

drives, emotional and many other abilities which enable him to adjust adequately or

inadequately with his environment. As he grow in social medium he comes to acquire

new drives, motives, wishes, goal ambitions which he constantly strives to achieve by his

effort. In his encounter with reality he faces a problem. Whenever he finds himself in

novel a situation in which he is motivated to achieve certain goals. His way is blocked by

some difficult barrier or obstacles. A solution to such problem consist in develop of some

mode of response or behavior which will eliminate the obstacle. Since frustration is

inevitable outcomes of failure to solve the problem of life, an individual is always

motivated to solve them and thus reduce anxiety and frustration. So the large part of

individual life is spent in struggle to find effective solution to his problem and there the

problem solving thinking plays a major role.

2. THINKING SET:

Like many other habit, people have a thinking habit or a way of thinking in a peculiar

way. This is called a “Thinking set ”. Such sets are acquired through encounters with the

successful solution brought out after overcoming such obstacle.

For instance: if a bottle ‘A’ has a capacity of 29 liter and bottle ‘B’ has a capacity of 3

liter water and if you are asked to obtain exactly 20 liters of water the best solution would

be fill the bottle ‘A’ full with water and remove three jar of ‘B’ from jar ‘A’, but the

requirement is of 28 liter the same solution do not work here and you will have to work

out some other solution to resolve the problem.

3. FUNCTION FIXEDNESS:

We use many things in our everyday life. For example bike, cell phones, computer,

watch, calculator and many more. All of these instruments have some assigned functions.

As a “bike” is used to reach anywhere speedy, by a phone we can communicate easily.

But at times, we make alternate use of the same product to resolve the problem which is

again a part of problem solving. Our habit of looking at things as having only one

specific use may thus prove to be a hindrance in our thinking in every day life.

4. RULES

Problem solving activity often follow rules can tell you about special ways through which

you may approach to a problem to find solutions. Such set of rules which is part of

individual memory give direction to putting forward the problem solving. For example

somebody suggested you some solution of any problem, we immediately discard by

saying that “no this is not possible” because we are trying to find out the solution by

utilizing the rules set by us and the suggested solution probably violated those set of rules

and therefore we discard the suggested solution. Therefore a problem solving thinking is

a highly complex form of behavior involving use of symbolic movement and various

other concepts. It is usually a problem that set thinking about the solution and in problem

solving we recall the experience and organize them in various ways to reach a solution

each such organization is actually a tentative answer or a hypothesis which may be tested

and rejected if unsatisfactory an accepted if satisfactory.

5. PRE-CONCIEVED NOTIONS

Many a times there are preconceived notions which affect the manner in which we

approach any problems, these notions may at times also act as blocks which don’t allow

us to take different approach to the issue at hand.

6. EXPRERIENCES

As time goes by and people see and observe things around themselves it influences there

thinking pattern. The experience of a person equips him with an insight to tackle the

problem at hand and also maintain his cool, many a time a novice may panic under a

chaotic situation. In various life stages as we pass through various problems and

situations it builds in us the capability to handle similar situations and also prepare for the

new ones.

7. PERSONALITY TYPE

The Personality of a person to a large extent affects his problem solving thinking process.

When solving problems, individuals preferring introversion will want to take time to

think and clarify their ideas before they begin talking, while those preferring extraversion

will want to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them. In addition, Introverts will

more likely be concerned with their own understanding of important concepts and ideas,

while Extroverts will continually seek feedback from the environment about the viability

of their ideas. Sensing individuals will be more likely to pay attention to facts, details,

and reality. They will also tend to select standard solutions that have worked in the past.

Persons with intuition preferences, on the other hand, will more likely attend to the

meaningfulness of the facts, the relationships among the facts, and the possibilities of

future events that can be imagined from these facts. They will exhibit a tendency to

develop new, original solutions rather than to use what has worked previously.

Individuals with a thinking preference will tend to use logic and analysis during problem

solving. They are also likely to value objectivity and to be impersonal in drawing

conclusions. They will want solutions to make sense in terms of the facts, models, and/or

principles under consideration. By contrast, individuals with a feeling preference are

more likely to consider values and feelings in the problem-solving process. They will

tend to be subjective in their decision making and to consider how their decisions could

affect other people.

8. KNOWLEDGE

There are two kinds of knowledge. One is explicit knowledge, which can be expressed in

words and numbers and shared in the form of data, scientific formulae, product

specifications, manuals, universal principles, and so forth. This kind of knowledge can be

readily transmitted across individuals formally and systematically. The other is tacit

knowledge which is highly personal and hard to formalise, making it difficult to

communicate or share with others. Subjective insights, intuitions and hunches fall into

this category of knowledge. Furthermore, tacit knowledge is deeply rooted in an

individual's action and experience, as well as in the ideals, values or emotions he or she

embraces.

A person can be made available with the explicit knowledge to solve the problem, but it

is via his tacit knowledge that he can use the information. Thus problem solving involves

the confluence of both forms of knowledge to solve it.

9. EXTERNAL FACTORS

Some external factors such as cultural, societal, parental, financial support also affect the

problem solving thinking. These factors can have a two pronged affect on the problem

solving thinking process; one is in that they could provide a support to the person in form

of financial or emotional.This would help in building up the person’s level of confidence

and also motivate him. The other affect is the impact the problem has over the society or

culture in the larger context. If the impact is wide-spread the person would be more under

stress and pressure and thus greater the need of arriving at a solution which would be

beneficial for all. For example, “An engineer who is involved in the construction of a

dam has to be very careful, as his actions would be having a wide-spread impact”.

REFERENCE :

http://virtualsalt.com/crebook3.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_solving

http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/prbsmbti.html