Problem Solving

Presented by: Jesty Sunny

1st Year M.Phil. Trainee
Department of Clinical Psychology
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
What is a problem?
A problem is a situation in which one is required to accomplish a goal &
the resolution is not clear.
Some problems are small & we can quickly sort them out (simple
problem solving).
But others are complex (complex problems solving) & requires the
collaboration, creativity, & considerable amount of efforts.
Problem solving
Problem solving is a process of solving any kind of problem.
This process is acted upon some steps. These steps starts from
identifying a problem/determining the cause of the problem till finding
of a suitable solution.
All these steps are collectively known as problem solving process.
• Problem solving are used in medicine, philosophy, mathematics,
engineering, business, computer science & even in artificial
intelligence.
• The mental techniques that individuals use to identify, analyze & solve
problems are studied in psychology & cognitive sciences.
Steps in problem solving
• 1. Define the problem
• 2. Generate alternate solutions
• 3. Evaluate & select an alternative
• 4. Implementation & Follow-up
1. Define the problem
• Identify what actually the problem is, it’s root cause & what effect
does it have.
• Diagnose the situation so that your focus is on the problem, not just
its symptoms.
• Analyze root causes like what lead to such a situation.
• Review & document how processes currently work: what does what,
with what information, what tools, what format, who all are involved
etc.
2. Generate alternate solutions
• Postpone the selection of one alternative until several alternatives
have been proposed.
• Considering multiple alternatives can significantly enhance the value
of your ideal solution.
• Brainstorming is an important procedure (Involving others to produce
maximum ideas).
• A common mistake in problems solving is that alternatives are
evaluated as they proposed, so the first acceptable solution is chosen,
even when its not the best fit. This affects the problem solving.
• If we try to focus on the result that we want, the objectivity of the
result will be lost.
3. Evaluate & Select an alternative
• Skilled problem solvers use a series of considerations when selecting
the best alternative.
• Like they also for see the possible effect of an alternative on the long
run.
• A particular alternative is to solve the problem without causing other
complicated problems.
• From the various proposed alternatives we chose the best alternative
that suits the situation.
4. Implementation & Follow-up
• Regardless of how the solution is rolled out, feedback channels should
be built into the implementation.
• This helps to monitor the actual effects against expectations.
• Even if a solution was unsuccessful we need to look at what lead to
that outcome.
• This will help to avoid these mistakes in the future.
• Problem solving is effective when it is updated to future changes.
Strategies of problem solving
1.Trial & error method
A method of solving problems in which possible solutions are tried until
one succeeds. Eg: learning a new language.
2. Algorithm
Set of rules which when followed systematically must lead to a solution.
Eg: solving a mathematics problem.
3. Analogy
A strategy for problem solving based on applying solutions that were
previously successful with other problems similar in underlying structure.
4. Heuristics

• Mental rules of thumb (mental shortcuts) that permit us to make

decisions & judgements in a rapid & efficient manner.
• Availability heuristic
• Representative heuristic
Representative heuristic: A mental rule of thumb suggesting that the
more closely an object or event resembles typical examples of some
concept of category, the more likely it is to belong to that concept or
category.
• Eg: A soft spoken woman older woman might remind you of your
grandmother, so you might immediately assume that she kind &
gentle.
Availability heuristic: A cognitive rules of thumb in which the
importance or probability of various events is judged on the basis of
how readily they come to mind.
• Eg: If you are thinking of flying & suddenly think of a number of
recent air accidents, you might feel like air travel is too dangerous &
decide to travel by car instead.
Means-end analysis
• While solving a problem its better to have a proper analysis of the
nature of the problem coordination.
• Where we have to reach? What needs to be done? What type of
solution the problem needs?
• In means end analysis one solves a problem by considering the
obstacles that stand between the problem & the goal.
• The elimination of these obstacles are defined as the subgoals.
• When all the subgoals are achieved that when all the obstacles are
removed, the mail goal will be achieved.
Factors affecting problem solving
1, Mental set: The impact of past experience on present problem
solving, the tendency to retain methods that were successful in the
past even if better alternatives now exist.
Eg: You pull on a door handle to open it. The door doesn’t open. You
pull on it a few more times before you notice a ‘push’ sign on the door.
2, Functional fixedness: The tendency to think of using objects only as
they have been used in the past.
Eg: You’re putting together a new chair with only a screwdriver. You use
it to fasten all the screws included in the package. But then you come
to a wooden dowel you need to hammer into the wall. You don’t have a
hammer with you. So you put everything down & get up to go search
for one, not considering that you could use the screwdriver.
3, Belief perseverance: The tendency to cling to beliefs even they have
been discredited.
Eg: A person who believes that smoking doesn’t cause cancer despite
the abundance evidence that shows that smoking cause cancer.
• Other example can include our perception about our friends, family,
partner, school etc. & the stereotypes we hold for some community,
people, religion etc.
4. Confirmation bias
The tendency to search for information that supports one’s previous
beliefs and values.
5. Optimism bias
Believing that you are less likely to suffer from misfortune & more likely
to attain success.
6. The Dunning-Kruger effect
When people believe that they are smarter & more capable than they
really are (when you can’t recognize your own incompetence).
Other factors
• Understanding of the problem: how well you have understood the
problem.
• Personality types/ temperament: motivated & hard working.
• Skills/ competencies: individual skills which basically improve with
experience.
• Resources available: If there is no enough resources available it can
slow down the problem solving process.
• Eg: A team may come up with a solution for an inefficient transport
system by suggesting new vehicles to be purchased. Despite solving
the problem entirely, it may not fit within the budget.
• Poor intelligence
• Cognitive biases
• Limited vocabulary
• Prejudices
• Lack of awareness
• Value of outcomes
• People involved
• Time limit
• External environment
• Emotions
Thank you!