Chapter 11: Thinking, Problem Solving & Creative Cognition

Thinking, Problem Solving & Creative Cognition academic exploration of cognitive psychology delves into the complex mental operations involved in focused thinking and structured problem-solving. It distinguishes between well-defined problems, which have clear goals and rules, and ill-defined problems, where the starting information and desired outcomes are ambiguous. The text outlines several domain-independent strategies individuals use to reach solutions, such as the generate-and-test technique, means-ends analysis involving the creation of subgoals, and working backward from a final objective. Central to this discussion is the problem space hypothesis, which frames problem-solving as a mental search through a graph of potential states and operations using algorithms like depth-first or breadth-first searches. The chapter also identifies significant cognitive barriers, including mental sets that trap thinkers in repetitive strategies and functional fixedness, which limits the perceived utility of objects to their traditional roles. Insight into the nature of expertise reveals that specialists categorize information based on deep structural principles and patterns, whereas novices tend to focus on superficial features. This understanding of human cognition has facilitated the development of expert systems—computerized programs that apply inference rules to specialized knowledge bases to mimic human decision-making. Additionally, the chapter examines the roots of creativity, contrasting the idea of unconscious incubation with the theory that creative breakthroughs result from ordinary cognitive mechanisms like directed remembering and contrary recognition. Finally, it highlights critical thinking as a vital, reflective skill that requires individuals to actively challenge their own conclusions and deeply grasp the underlying structure of a problem rather than relying on rote memorization or superficial sense-making.