Problem Solving and Cognitive Principles

By definition, thinking refers to the mental activities associated with reasoning, processing, and remembering information. Cognition is another word for thinking. Cognitive psychologists study areas like attention, language, memory, perception, and thinking. They try to figure out solutions to problems their clients may be experiencing, and help them reach goals they hope to achieve.

Concepts, Prototypes, and Symbols

Thinking is complex, and comes in units of thoughts that include concepts, prototypes, and symbols. In this interactivity, you will explore how people think and make categorizations. Click the player to begin.

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Solving Problems

You are faced with problems every day. For example, perhaps you think, “How can I get this project done given a busy practice schedule this week?” or “How am I going to get a summer job?” Your problems may be academic, social, or financial. However big or small, you must analyze them in order to find a solution.

Strategies for Solving Problems

Although solving problems can prove challenging at times, by using algorithms and heuristics, you can come up with solutions. In this interactivity, you will explore these strategies to problem solving. Click the player to begin.

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Obstacles to Solving Problems

Sometimes a solution to a problem is difficult to find. This can occur when your thinking contains errors in judgment. In this interactivity, you will examine how mental set, functional fixedness, confirmation bias, and fixation may become obstacles to solving problems. Click the player to begin.

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Problem Solving and Cognitive Principles Review

Now that you have learned a bit about problem solving and cognitive principles, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click the player to get started.