Problem Solving and

Creativity
 Problem Solving
• Problem-solving is defined as the process of overcoming obstacles to achieve a
goal, which involves the identification of the problem, the generation of potential
solutions, and the application of strategies to resolve it.
 Stages of Problem Solving
Problem Identification

Defining the Problem

Generating Solutions

Evaluating and Choosing Solutions

Implementing the solutions

Review and Reflection

 Problem solving methods
• Trial and Error: Trying out different solutions to a problem, often without a clear
plan, until one works.
• Algorithms: Step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution (though they may
be time-consuming) Example: Solving a long division problem
• Heuristics
• Analogy: A strategy for solving problems based on applying solutions that were
previously successful with other problems similar in underlying structures.
• Metacognitive Processing: An expanded level of awareness that allows us, in a
sense, to observe ourselves in the problem-solving process.
Barriers to Problem Solving

Functional Fixedness

Mental Set
 Functional Fixedness
• Functional fixedness is when people get stuck thinking that objects or tools can
only be used for their usual purpose, which prevents them from seeing new
ways to solve a problem.
• Example: When the power goes out, you may look for a traditional flashlight, but
if you’re stuck on thinking of your phone as only for communication, you might
not immediately think to use the flashlight feature on your phone.
 Mental Set
• Mental set refers to the tendency to approach problems in the same way because
that method has worked in the past. It's a bias towards using previously
successful strategies, even when they may not apply to the current problem.
• Example: Imagine you always push a door to open it because in your school, most
doors open that way. One day, you come across a door that actually needs to be
pulled to open. However, you keep pushing it because you're so used to pushing
doors, even though it's not working.
•Mental Set is about being stuck on a specific approach or
strategy.
•Functional Fixedness is about being stuck on the typical
function of an object.
 Creativity
• Creativity is generating, creating, or discovering new ideas, solutions,
and possibilities.
• Very creative people often have intense knowledge about something,
work on it for years, look at novel solutions, seek out the advice and
help of other experts, and take risks.
 Criteria of creativity

Originality Usefulness

Surprise
 Creativity Tests
• Remote Associates Test by Mednick in 1962
• Unusual Uses Task (Guilford, 1967; Torrance, 1974)
 Remote Association Test
• The test presents participants with three seemingly unrelated words,
and they must come up with a fourth word that links all three
together.
• This test evaluates a person's ability to make distant associations
between ideas, a key component of creativity.
• Example: Words: "Cottage, Swiss, Cake "Answer: "Cheese" (Cottage
cheese, Swiss cheese, and Cheesecake)
 Unusual Uses Task Test
• The Unusual Uses Task was developed by J.P. Guilford and later
extended by E. Paul Torrance as a way to measure divergent thinking,
which is the ability to generate many different ideas or solutions from
a single prompt.
• Participants are asked to think of as many different uses as possible
for a common object.
• Example:
• Object: “Brick”
• Possible Uses: Paperweight, doorstop, weapon, art piece, weight for
exercise, etc.
 Types of Creativity
• Psychologist James Kaufman developed the Four-C Model of
Creativity, which outlines different levels or types of creativity:

Mini- C Little-C Pro-C

Big-C
• Mini-C Creativity: Involves personal insights and the creative learning
process.
• It refers to the personal sense of discovery when someone learns
something new or finds a unique solution to a problem that may not
be original to others but is new to them.
• Example: A child figuring out how to tie their shoelaces in a new way.
• Little-C Creativity: Everyday problem-solving and creative expression.
• This kind of creativity is found in daily life and doesn’t necessarily
result in groundbreaking discoveries.
• Example: A person finding an innovative way to organize their
workspace or cooking a meal with ingredients they have on hand.
• Pro-C Creativity: Creativity demonstrated by professionals in their
fields but not at the level of those who change their domain entirely.
• This could include scientists, designers, or musicians who consistently
produce creative work in their professional fields.
• Example: A professional graphic designer creating a visually stunning
advertisement campaign.
• Big-C Creativity: This refers to extraordinary creativity that leads to
groundbreaking work that transforms a field or society.
• These are often legendary creators like Einstein, Picasso, or
Shakespeare.
• Example: Einstein’s theory of relativity or Picasso’s contribution to
modern art.
 Guildford Model of Creativity
• J.P. Guilford identified creativity as a key component of intelligence and
developed a model emphasizing divergent thinking (thinking that generates
multiple solutions to a problem).
• Guilford highlighted four primary aspects of divergent thinking
• Fluency: The ability to generate many ideas.
• Flexibility: The ability to shift thinking and consider multiple approaches.
• Originality: The ability to generate novel ideas.
• Elaboration: The ability to expand on an idea and develop it further.
 Stages of Creativity (Wallas, 1926)
• Wallas proposed a four-stage process model that outlines how creative ideas are
generated
• Preparation: Gathering information and gaining an understanding of the
problem.
• Incubation: The problem is processed subconsciously, with no direct focus on it.
This stage allows ideas to "simmer.“
• Illumination: The "Aha!" or insight moment, where a novel idea or solution
suddenly becomes clear.
• Verification: Testing and refining the idea or solution to ensure it works.