Problem Solving, 2nd Edition

Table of contents

1. Cover
2. Title
3. Copyright
4. Dedication
5. Contents
6. Preface
7. 1 What is involved in problem solving
   1. What exactly is a problem?
   2. Where do problems come from?
   3. “Natural” and “unnatural” problems
   4. What’s involved in solving problems?
   5. Approaches to the study of problem solving
   6. Categorising problems
   7. Summary
   8. References
8. 2 Problem representation
   1. Representations and processes
   2. Analysing well-defined problems
   3. The interaction of the problem solver and the task environment
   4. Heuristic search strategies
   5. Summary
   6. References
9. 3 Transfer
   1. Negative transfer – mental set
   2. Mechanisms of knowledge transfer
   3. Transfer in well-defined problems
   4. Studies of analogical problem solving
   5. Cognitive processes in analogical problem solving
   6. Types of similarity
   7. When relational structures are ignored
   8. Summary
   9. References
10. 4 Worked examples and instructional design
    1. Difficulties facing textbook writers
    2. The role of examples in textbooks
    3. The processes involved in textbook problem solving
    4. Understanding problems revisited
    5. Approaches to the design of instruction
    6. Conclusion
    7. Summary
    8. References
11. 5 Developing skill
    1. Induction
    2. Schema development and the effects of automatisation
    3. Cognitive architectures
    4. Potential criticisms of cognitive models
    5. Summary
    6. References
12. 6 Developing expertise
    1. Stage models of expertise
    2. The intermediate effect
    3. What distinguishes experts and novices
    4. Are experts smarter? Are there differences in abilities?
    5. Is expertise due to talent or deliberate practice?
    6. Does expertise cross domains?
    7. Cognitive processes in expertise
    8. Flexibility in thinking
    9. Some potential side effects of expertise …
    10. Summary
    11. References
13. 7 Insight
    1. Insight problems
    2. Gestalt accounts of problem solving
    3. Information processing approaches to insight
    4. Classifying insight problems
    5. Insight as something special
    6. Insight as “business as usual”
    7. Representational change theory (redistribution theory)
    8. Summary
    9. References
14. 8 Creative problem solving
    1. Breaking free of self-imposed constraints
    2. Creative individuals
    3. Theories of creativity: generation, evaluation and selection
    4. CoRT
    5. Synectics
    6. Creative Problem Solving (CPS) – Osborn–Parnes
    7. Summary
    8. References
15. 9 The neuroscience of problem solving
    1. Methods used in studying brain functions
    2. Arithmetic in the brain
    3. Stages in problem solving
    4. Neurological processes in analogical reasoning
    5. Neurocomputational models
    6. Designing instruction – what can studies of the brain tell us?
    7. Neurological aspects of insight and creativity
    8. Summary
    9. References
16. 10 Conclusion
    1. Problems, problems
    2. References
17. Index