PSYC 4455 Cognitive
Dr. Jung (J.)
Assignment Name: Applying problem-solving tips
Subtitle: Applying the (a) getting out of themental set (or fixation)and (b)analogy to solve your own problem.
Due Date: See the course schedule on the last page of the syllabus (orD2L Calendar)
Theoretical background of the assignment
From the chapter regarding problem solving, you learned very useful problem-solving tips generated by cognitive psychologists. However, according to Gick and Holyoak (1980), people are resultant to utilize such useful problem-solving resources until they are encouraged to utilize them. This assignment was designed to nudge you to apply the problem-solving tips to your important problems.
Purpose of the assignment
This assignment was designed to achieve two of the course objectives.
[Course Objective 2: Be able to explain well-established findings regarding various aspects of human cognitive processes, such as, attention, perception, memory, knowledge, problem solving, and judgments/decision making]
o In this assignment, you will practice explaining problem-solving tips generated by cognitive psychologists. As part of the assignment, before you actually apply problem-solving tips, you need to explain the tipsthemselves.
[Course Objective 3:Be able to apply the findings of cognitive psychology to practical issues including one’s own personal problems.]
o In this assignment, you will not only explain the tips but also apply them to practical issues, especially your own and important problem.
Target Skills and Knowledge
This assignment will help you obtain the following skills and knowledge that are critical for your future professional career and life in general.
Skills:
1. Explain complex concepts: Especially about the problem-solving tips.
2. Applying concepts to real-world issues.
Knowledge: You will obtain knowledge about various problem-solving tips, especially the mental set (or fixation) and analogy.
Task
• Overview: In this assignment, pick a real and important problem of yours and apply the concept of (a) mental set (or fixation)and(b) analogy to solve the problem.
• Steps to follow:
a) Describe the important problem you are facing.
– Note, you will choose your personal problem for this assignment. Please avoid any problems that you are not willing to share with your instructor.
b) Explain the mental set (or fixation) and analogy, and underline your explanations.
c) Apply the two tips and describe the solution that you obtained based on each tip.
• Cue statements for the assignment.
a) “The problem I chose is …”
b) “The definition of mental set (fixation) is … and getting out of the mental set (or fixation) suggests that …,” and “The definition of analogy is …. ”
c) “The solution that I obtained based each tip is XXX”
• Word limit: Between 500 to 1,000 words.
Criteria for success
• A good assignment should include the following components:
a) Detailed description of the problem.
b) Accurate description of the problem-solving tips.
c) Appropriate application of those tips to the problem.
• Make sure to use the above list (a ~ c) and the cue statements under the Task section (again, a ~ c) as a checklist to evaluate your work before you submit it.