Key Takeaways
- Algorithms are precise step-by-step techniques for solving problems, guaranteeing a correct answer.
- Heuristics are quick “rule of thumb” methods that help solve everyday problems faster.
- Problem-solving is essential and involves understanding the problem, exploring solutions, and taking action.
From deciding what to eat for dinner to considering whether it’s the right time to buy a house, problem-solving is a large part of our daily lives. It’s an important skill that we use to make all kinds of choices, both small and big.
Oftentimes, we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the specific strategies we use for problem-solving. However, psychologists have identified several tactics we use, each with its own pros and cons. And the truth is that choosing the right approach for the situation can play a major role in whether we achieve the outcome we want.
Keep reading to learn some of the most common problem-solving strategies and how to use them in real life, along with ways to overcome obstacles that are making it harder to resolve the issues you face.
The Psychology of Problem Solving
In cognitive psychology, the term ‘problem-solving’ refers to the mental process used to identify, analyze, and solve problems.
A problem arises when we have a goal but are unsure how to reach it. For example, you may want a better relationship with a family member but aren’t sure how to strengthen it. Or, you may want to start a business but feel lost on the next steps. Problem-solving helps you figure out how to achieve your goals.
The problem-solving process includes:
- Identifying the problem
- Deciding to tackle it
- Understanding the issue more deeply
- Exploring available solutions
- Taking action to solve it
Before solving a problem, it’s crucial to fully understand its nature. Misunderstanding the problem can lead to flawed solutions.
Problem-Solving Mental Processes
Problem-solving involves several key mental processes, including:
- Perceptually recognizing the problem
- Representing the problem in memory
- Considering relevant information that applies to the problem
- Identifying different aspects of the problem
- Labeling and describing the problem
Problem-Solving Strategies
Problem-solving isn’t one size fits all. There are many ways to go about solving a problem. Sometimes you might have to try a few options to decide which works best, but there will also be times that you just trust your immediate “gut feeling.”
Some of these strategies might be used on their own, or you may decide to combine multiple approaches to figure out and fix a problem.
Algorithms
When an exact solution is needed, following a specific process often provides the correct response.
An algorithm is a series of steps that follow certain rules to produce a solution. While often used in math, algorithms are also applied in other fields.
In psychology, algorithms can help identify individuals at higher risk for mental health issues. Research suggests that algorithms might help recognize children at risk for suicide or self-harm.
Algorithms guarantee accurate answers, but they can be time-consuming because pattern detection is complex.
Concerns also arise when machine learning, or artificial intelligence (AI), is used—particularly around its ability to predict human behavior accurately.
Heuristics
Sometimes we need a quick solution and cannot use an algorithm. In these cases, heuristics may be useful.
Heuristics are shortcuts or “rule of thumb” strategies that simplify complex problems, reducing the number of possible solutions.
For instance, if you’re stuck in traffic, you may quickly choose an alternate route. When buying a car, you may use prior negotiation tactics to get a better price.
Heuristics can be helpful for small issues, but major decisions should not rely on shortcuts. They also don’t guarantee effective solutions, like taking a detour during a traffic jam only to encounter more congestion.
Trial and Error
Sometimes, the best way to figure out what works best is to compare a few different options. Psychologists refer to this strategy as trial-and-error.
A trial-and-error approach to problem-solving involves trying a number of potential solutions to a particular issue, then ruling out those that do not work.
For example, if you’re not sure whether to buy a shirt in blue or green, for instance, you may try on each before deciding which one to purchase.
This can be a good strategy to use if you have a limited number of solutions available. However, if many choices are available, narrowing down the options using another problem-solving technique can be helpful before attempting trial and error.
Insight
Sometimes, the solution to a problem can appear as a sudden insight. For example, when facing an issue in a relationship or your career, the solution might suddenly appear out of nowhere, and you may know exactly what to do.
Insight can occur when the problem in front of you resembles an issue you’ve dealt with before. However, you may not recognize how you came up with the solution since the underlying mental processes that lead to insight often happen outside of conscious awareness.
Research indicates that insight is most likely to occur during times when you are alone—such as when going on a walk by yourself, when you’re in the shower, or when lying in bed after waking up.
How to Apply Problem-Solving Strategies in Real Life
If you’re facing a problem, you can implement one or more of these strategies to find a potential solution. Oftentimes, using more than one strategy is a good approach that can help you come up with the best possible solution. Here’s how to use them in real life:
- Create a flow chart. If you have time, you can take advantage of the algorithm approach to problem-solving by sitting down and making a flow chart of each potential solution, its consequences, and what happens next.
- Recall your past experiences. Heuristics may be a better approach when a problem needs to be solved relatively quickly. Think back to when you faced a similar issue, then use your knowledge and experience to choose the best option possible.
- Start trying potential solutions. If your options are limited, try them individually to see which solution is best for achieving your desired goal. If a particular solution doesn’t work, move on to the next.
- Take some time alone. Since insight is often achieved when you’re alone, carve out time to be by yourself for a while. The answer to your problem may come to you, seemingly out of the blue, if you spend some time away from others.
Obstacles to Problem-Solving
As you probably already know, things don’t always go quite as planned when we are trying to solve a problem. Perhaps we chose a strategy that wasn’t quite right for the situation, or maybe there are external factors that are clouding our clarity of thought.
Problem-solving is not a flawless process as there are several obstacles that can interfere with our ability to solve a problem quickly and efficiently. These obstacles include:
Assumptions
When dealing with a problem, people can make assumptions about the constraints and obstacles that prevent finding solutions. The result is that they may not even try some potential options, which can hurt the outcome.
Functional Fixedness
Functional fixedness refers to the tendency to view problems only in their customary manner. Functional fixedness prevents people from fully seeing all of the different options that might be available to find a solution.
Irrelevant or Misleading Information
When trying to solve a problem, it’s important to distinguish between information that is relevant to the issue and irrelevant data that can lead to faulty solutions. The more complex the problem, the easier it is to focus on misleading or irrelevant information.
Mental Set
A mental set is a tendency to only use solutions that have worked in the past rather than looking for alternative ideas. A mental set can work as a heuristic, making it a useful problem-solving tool. However, mental sets can also lead to inflexibility, making it more difficult to find effective solutions.
How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills
In the end, if your goal is to become a better problem-solver, it’s helpful to remember that this is a process. Thus, if you want to improve your problem-solving skills, following these steps can help lead you to your solution:
- Recognize that a problem exists. If you are facing a problem, there are generally signs. For instance, if you have a mental illness, you may experience excessive fear or sadness, mood changes, and changes in sleeping or eating habits. Recognizing these signs can help you realize that an issue exists.
- Decide to solve the problem. Make a conscious decision to solve the issue at hand. Commit to yourself that you will go through the steps necessary to find a solution.
- Seek to fully understand the issue. Analyze the problem you face, looking at it from all sides. For instance, if your problem is relationship-related, ask yourself how the other person may interpret the issue. You might also consider how your actions might be contributing to the situation.
- Research potential options. Using the problem-solving strategies mentioned, research potential solutions. Make a list of options, then consider each one individually. What are some pros and cons of taking the available routes? What would you need to do to make them happen?
- Take action. Select the best solution possible and take action. Action is one of the steps required for change. So, go through the motions needed to resolve the issue.
- Try another option, if needed. If the solution you chose didn’t work, don’t give up! Either go through the problem-solving process again or try another option. Working through it from different angles can sometimes help you overcome fixed thinking as well.
You can find a way to solve your problems as long as you keep working toward this goal—even if the best solution is simply to let go because no other good solution exists.
