Factors affecting

problem solving
thinking
PSYCHOLOGY
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