Effective Problem Solving

by Levine, Marvin

• ISBN13: 9780132454810
• ISBN10: 0132454815
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-11-29
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

For freshman through senior-level courses on Critical Thinking, Cognition, or Problem Solving. This brief survey of creative problem solving offers a collection of specific, practical procedures that one should use for various classes of problems ranging from machines that need repairing, to mathematical puzzles, engineering problems, poorly defined industrial problems, comprehending lectures and reading, remembering information, invention, and difficulties between people. The principles which are based on research and theory in cognitive psychology are applied to problems in daily living and focus on how to overcome one's own limitations in trying to solve a problem. Students thus learn principles for dealing with problems as well as what it is about themselves that can make the problem more or less difficult.

Table of Contents

Preface to the First Edition	ix
Preface to the Second Edition	xii
A Word to the Reader	xiii
Section I Prescriptive Principles
Descriptive and Prescriptive Principles	1	(2)
Section II Intimate Engagement
The Principle of Intimate Engagement	3	(8)
Externalize: The Intimate Engagement of Mathematical and Logical Puzzles	11	(10)
Straight-Line Problems	14	(1)
Matrix Problems	14	(4)
Function Generating Problems	18	(3)
Visualize: The Problem of Comprehension	21	(7)
Visualize: Committing Information to Memory	28	(15)
Exercises for Intimate Engagement	36	(7)
Section III Special Features
Special Features of the Problem Space	43	(11)
Go to the Extremes	54	(6)
Simplify the Problem	60	(13)
Exercises for Special Features	69	(4)
Section IV Lateral Thinking
Don't Be Blind	73	(7)
Facilitate Flexibility	80	(16)
Brainstorming	81	(2)
The Intermediate Impossible	83	(1)
Random Associations	84	(1)
Analogies or Metaphors	85	(3)
Sleep on It	88	(2)
Exercises for Lateral Thinking	90	(6)
Section V Interpersonal Problem Solving
The Problem-Solving Stance	96	(7)
Right Speech: How to Give Criticism	103	(10)
Presenting Yourself	103	(1)
I-Talk	104	(1)
The Mary Poppins Rule	105	(2)
The Comic Parry (or Keep It Light)	107	(2)
Calming the Emotions	109	(4)
Solving Other People's Problems: Let It Happen	113	(10)
Take the Problem-Solving Stance	115	(1)
Eye Contact and Good Voice	115	(1)
Let It Happen	115	(1)
The ``What If'' Principle	116	(3)
Exercises for Interpersonal Problem Solving	119	(4)
Section VI Overview
Summary and Conclusions	123	(4)
Engage Problems Intimately	123	(1)
Look for Special Features	124	(1)
Avoid Functional Blindness: Think Laterally	124	(1)
Take the Problem-Solving Stance	124	(3)
Appendix A	127	(10)
Appendix B	137	(6)
References	143	(2)
Index	145