Chapter Questions
What is the basic idea behind analogical problem solving? What is the source problem? The target problem? How effective is it to present a source problem and then the target problem, without indicating that the two are related?
Describe Duncker's radiation problem. What is the solution, and how have researchers used this problem to illustrate analogical problem solving?
What are the three steps in the process of analogical problem solving? Which of the steps appears to be the most difficult to achieve?
How do the surface features and structural features of problems influence a person's ability to make effective use of analogies in problem solving? Describe the lightbulb experiments and what they demonstrated.
What is analogical encoding? The analogical paradox? How has analogical problem solving been studied in the real world?
What is an expert? What are some differences between the way experts and nonexperts go about solving problems? How good are experts at solving problems outside of their field?
Describe attempts to define creativity.
Describe analogical problem solving as illustrated by de Mestral's invention of Velcro and Odón's invention of a birthing device.
What does it mean to say that problem solving is a process?
Discuss the factors involved in generating ideas, including the role of knowledge, the use of brainstorming, and the creative cognition approach.
What is the relation between creativity and mental illness? What property is shared by creative people and people with mental illness? Why might this property increase creativity?
Describe Chi and Snyder's experiment using the nine-dot problem. What do the results indicate about why creativity is difficult?