This week, you read about different ways in which problem solving occurs. You also learned how factors (such as creativity, brain activation, or alcohol consumption) influence problem solving. Based on what you have learned, discuss contemporary problems that people in the real world face when problem solving as a result of human cognitive functioning. You might look at lifestyle problems (like lack of sleep) or biological issues (like changes in brain activation). Next, describe strategies that could be implemented to improve problem solving. Your discussion should be supported with findings from foundational theories of problem solving.

In your responses to your peers, compare and contrast your ideas and strategies to those of your peers. In what settings do you see your peers’ strategies working best?

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document.

AFTER COMPLETING THE INITIAL POST, PLEASE ALSO RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING TWO STUDENTS REGARDING THE SAME TOPIC!

STUDENT ONE:

Problem solving in our day to day lives involves a process, consisting of a cycle of stages. A lot of the time, we mentally go through this process when trying to solve smaller problems. So sometimes we don’t even realize it. This cycle of stages consists of first recognizing and identifying the problem. The next stages from our textbook states that we should “define and mentally represent the problem, develop a solution and then allocate mental resources for solving the problem” (McBride & Cutting, 2018).

The challenges I face in my day to day life are probably very similar to many of my peers. Many of us work full-time, in grad school, running a household, have children, etc. These are all real-world problems that over time can become very hectic even for someone that doesn’t suffer from any cognitive challenges. Adding in factors such as lack of executive function skills or memory loss can create even more problem-solving difficulties. In my chosen field of psychology and something I work with on a daily basis are children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Children with these disorders have trouble with executive function. Executive function skills are high-level cognitive abilities that are used to control and regulate behaviors and other processes. People use executive function skills for goal-directed behaviors. These skills are utilized to create and stop different actions, to change behaviors when needed and to also look ahead and plan for future tasks. People with traumatic brain injuries and dementia may also lack executive function skills.

Problem-solving and executive function skills go hand in hand. I think this is why so many children with ADHD or high functioning Autism have trouble transitioning from one thing to another. I think they don’t always see the big picture or make correlations between the beginning state and the end goal.

There are many strategies that a person can use to help them solve problems. In the case I was discussing above, I think one of the best strategies in the trial and error strategy. In the trial and error strategy, people should come up with ideas of solutions and start trying each one out until they come to one that works. According to McBride & Cutting (2018), “as we accumulate associations between problems and successful solutions, we use these associations when encountering new problems” (McBride & Cutting, 2018 p. 294). If we are faced with new situations and they are similar to old situations, we can try to use the same solution for the new one as we used for the old. then we will try to apply the solutions we used for the old ones.

For children, it is best to start brainstorming “problems”. A lot of the time, children know something is going on, but they don’t know exactly what the “problem” is. Once they have the problem identified, then they can start brainstorms solutions. They can come up with several solutions of things they think would work. Then they can use the trial and error strategy to test their solutions. This is an important strategy for people to use when practicing how identify and solve problems. These strategies can even be used for patients that may suffer from dementia or traumatic brain injuries. Because of the lack of cognitive abilities in people with ADHD, Dementia, or Traumatic Brain Injuries, they may need assistance with coming up with solutions for future problems.

References

McBride, D.M., & Cutting, J.C. (2018). Cognitive psychology: theory, process, and methodology. 2nd ed. Sage inc. Thousand Oaks, C.A.

STUDENT TWO:

In our everyday actions or movements we have to solve problems, and some must be done quicker than others. Can I get around this slow moving car and have room to get around them and if I do what lies ahead of them or are there any possible blocks that may arise in my path that may prevent me from being able to do this. Another one could be, I have an appointment at 7 a.m. and I need to give myself plenty of time to wake up, get breakfast, get my pets feed and their morning bathroom breaks, get dressed and ready, and then make sure I get to my appointment 15 minutes early because then I am on time. Some of these problems seem well defined; not necessarily easy problems to solve but rather the goals and constraints are known (McBride & Cutting, 2019) or the problems could be ill defined; lack clear paths between the current and goal states (McBride & Cutting).

Now some of us are good at solving problems and some of us are not, but it does not mean that all problems cannot be solved. One person may be able to function on few hours of sleep and not have any delays in solving a problem and then one person may need to get 8 hours to function in a normal problem solving mode. For myself, I do my best thinking or problem solving when I am in the bathroom or if I go outside for a smoke. I can step away from them problem and get refocused and run through solutions in my head and come up with a solution. Now this obviously doesn’t work when driving but in those cases I can blast music and come up with a solution because if it is to quiet I cannot focus on things. This would be an example of insight; because problems are typically those in which solvers cannot initially find a solution and have often stopped consciously thinking about the problem, when suddenly the correct solution emerges into consciousness (McBride & Cutting).

Through trial and error we can train our brains to solve problems quicker, especially if the same problem presents itself again. This would be known as analogical transfer, which is; using the same solution for two problems with the same underlying structure (McBride & Cutting). Now this is not the only way to train our brain in problem solving arena, we can also do this through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and using Problem-Solving Therapy. Problem-Solving therapy helps people in their life by coping with difficulties, and training them to become proactive to problem solutions. It is also used to help with, achieving goals, finding purpose, reducing depression, managing anxiety, and solving relationship problems (Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 2019). It helps clients to address the orientation of the problem, then define problems clearly, third, the client start brainstorming ideas and solutions, and finally, the client takes the appropriate action. This sounds so simple but its results can be phenomenal because once we begin to solve simple problems then our cognitive ability to solve complicated problems will be no issue.

In a professional setting, I would have my employees solve word problems, or even sudoku problems and give rewards for whoever completes the task the fastest. Getting employees sharp is important to a successful business and having them constantly solving problems helps them to keep their cognitive abilities attuned and sharp. Plus, having a prize at the end of the competition makes it fun and enjoyable because if it is not fun then employees will not do these things. When we do the same thing every day with no breaks in between to rest our minds, then burn outs occur. That is why for myself, Fridays I watch senseless pointless television to rest my brain from the week of school work and get it ready and prepared to solve the next weeks school work problems. Problem-solving therapy is designed for clients with CBT therapy but it can also help anyone because, it works in teaching people skills to help them take a more active role in their lives, taking more initiative, and utilizing whatever influences they have to effectively make decisions and achieve their goals.

References:

McBride, D.M., & Cutting, J.C. (2019). Cognitive psychology: theory, process, and methodology. 2nd ed. Sage inc. Thousand Oaks, C.A.

Problem-Solving Therapy. (2019). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Los Angeles. Retrieved from http://cogbtherapy.com/problem-solving-therapy-los-angeles.

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