Problem solving and steps in problem solving

Problem solving and types of thinking

Problem solving has been defined as a systematic search through a range of possible actions in order to reach a predefined goal. The ultimate goal of problem solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue. It involves two main types of thinking; creative thinking and critical thinking.

Norman Vincent Peale, the great minister of positive thinking said, "...the only people I know who don't have any problems are dead people. The more problems you have, the more alive you are. If you have no problems at all, then you are in grave jeopardy!" Problems are there to help us grow wisely towards knowing the world that we are living in.

Types of Problems

Psychologists have identified two types of problems; these are:

1. Well-defined Problems; These are well-structured problems which have clear solution paths. The person is able to specify all the steps that must be taken to reach a solution. Most mathematics problems are examples of well-defined problems.
2. Ill-defined Problems: These are ill-structured problems which don't have clear solution paths. The person usually cannot specify the steps needed to reach a solution. Example: "How can a lasting peace be achieved between country A and country B?" It is hard to know what steps one would take to solve this problem. The solution of ill-defined problems often requires insight and often insight involves conceptualizing a problem or a strategy in a totally new way. When a problem solver is attempting to gain an insight but is unsuccessful, the most effective approach is that of incubation which is laying the problem aside for a while and processing it unconsciously.

Steps in Problem Solving

There are many different ways to solve a problem, however all ways involve a series of steps. To become a successful problem-solver, you need to understand the stages involved in problem solving and follow them in the sequential order whenever you have a problem. Psychologist Robert J. Sternberg identified seven steps in problem solving namely:

1. Problem Identification: In this step, the person recognize the existence of a problem to be solved.
2. Problem Definition: In this step, the person determines the nature of problem that confronts her/him.
3.  Resource Allocation: Having defined the problem, the person determines the kind and extent of resources to devote to the choice. Resources are limited, therefore money, time and other resources to solve a problem have to be allocated according to priority.
4. Problem Representation: In this step, the person mentally organises the information needed to solve the problem. What does she/he know about the problem to be solved? And what doesn't she/he know?
5. Strategy Construction: Having decided what criteria to use, the person must now decide how to combine or prioritize them. It involves implementation; by planning when and how it will be done.
6. Monitoring: In this step, the person assesses whether the problem solving is proceeding according to her/his intentions. If the possible solutions produced by her/his criteria do not appeal to her/him, she/he may decide that the criteria or their relative importance needs to be changed.
7. Evaluation: In this step, the person evaluates whether the problem solving was successful.

The diagram below represents the steps in problem solving.

Problem solving cycle

In conclusion, many researchers regard the thinking that is done in problem solving as cyclical, in the sense that the output of one set of processes - the solution to a problem - often serves as the input of another - a new problem to be solved. If you really insist that you had no problems, Norman Vincent Peale would suggest that you immediately race home, go straight to your bedroom and slam the door. Then get down on your knees and pray, "What's the matter, Lord? Don't You trust me anymore? Give me some problems!"