Thinking or Thought Process refers to ideas or arrangements of ideas that are the result of the process of thinking. Though thinking is an activity considered essential to humanity, there is no consensus as to how we define or understand it. Because thought underlies many human actions and interactions, understanding its physical and metaphysical origins
Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development has been criticized on many grounds. One criticism is concerned with the very nature of development itself. It is suggested that Piaget’s theory does not explain why development from stage to stage occurs. The theory is also criticized for ignoring individual differences in cognitive development. That is, the theory
The psychology of reasoning is the study of how people reason, often broadly defined as the process of drawing conclusions to inform how people solve problems and make decisions. It is at the intersection of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, logic, and probability theory. Overview Psychological experiments on how humans and other
A mental model is an explanation of someone’s thought process about how something works in the real world. It is a representation of the surrounding world, the relationships between its various parts and a person’s intuitive perception about their own acts and their consequences. Our mental models help shape our behaviour and define our approach
Abstraction is a process by which higher concepts are derived from the usage and classification of literal (“real” or “concrete”) concepts, first principles, or other methods. An “abstraction” (noun) is a concept that acts as super-categorical noun for all subordinate concepts, and connects any related concepts as a group, field, or category. Abstractions may be
Analogy is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject (the target), and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process. In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from one particular to another particular, as opposed to deduction, induction
Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which a group tries to find a solution for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members. The term was popularized by Alex Faickney Osborn in 1953 through the book Applied Imagination. In the book, Osborn not only proposed the brainstorming method
Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic. The term lateral thinking was coined by Edward de Bono in the book New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking published in 1967.
Means-Ends Analysis (MEA) is a technique used in Artificial Intelligence for controlling search in problem solving computer programs. It is also a technique used at least since the 1950s as a creativity tool, most frequently mentioned in engineering books on design methods. Means-Ends Analysis is also a way to clarify one’s thoughts when embarking on
The technique of focal object for problem solving involves synthesizing the seemingly non-matching characteristics of different objects into something new. Another way to think of focal objects is as a memory cue: if you’re trying to find all the different ways to use a brick, give yourself some random “objects” (situations, concepts, etc.) and see
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia’s content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (August 2010). Morphological analysis or General Morphological Analysis is a method developed by Fritz Zwicky (1967, 1969) for
Example of a reduction from a boolean satisfiability problem to a vertex cover problem. Blue vertices form a vertex cover which corresponds to truth values. In computability theory and computational complexity theory, a reduction is a transformation of one problem into another problem. Depending on the transformation used this can be used to define complexity
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method. The primary purpose for basic research (as opposed to applied research) is discovering, interpreting, and the
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a class of problem solving methods aimed at identifying the root causes of problems or events. The practice of RCA is predicated on the belief that problems are best solved by attempting to address, correct or eliminate root causes, as opposed to merely addressing the immediately obvious symptoms. By directing
Trial and error, or trial by error, is a general method of problem solving, fixing things, or for obtaining knowledge. “Learning doesn’t happen from failure itself but rather from analyzing the failure, making a change, and then trying again.” In the field of computer science, the method is called generate and test. In elementary algebra
A proof is sufficient evidence or argument for the truth of a proposition. The concept arises in a variety of areas, with both the nature of the evidence or justification and the criteria for sufficiency being area-dependent. In the area of oral and written communication such as conversation, dialog, rhetoric, etc., a proof is a
Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is a method used to approach and to resolve problems, typically employed by quality engineers or other professionals. D0: The Planning Phase: Plan for solving the problem and determine the prerequisites. D1: Use a Team: Establish a team of people with product/process knowledge. D2: Define and describe the Problem: Specify the
The GROW model (or process) is a technique for problem solving or goal setting. It was developed in the United Kingdom and was used extensively in the corporate coaching market in the late 1980s and 1990s. There have been many claims to authorship of GROW as a way of achieving goals and solving problems. While
How to Solve It (1945) is a small volume by mathematician George Pólya describing methods of problem solving. Four principles How to Solve It suggests the following steps when solving a mathematical problem: First, you have to understand the problem. After understanding, then make a plan. Carry out the plan. Look back on your
Kepner-Tregoe, Inc. is a multinational management consulting and training services company. It provides consultation and training to companies in industries such as manufacturing, electronics, chemical, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. The company was founded in 1958 by former RAND Corporation researchers Dr. Charles Kepner and Dr. Benjamin Tregoe. They are best known for their Rational Process
PDCA (plan–do–check–act) is an iterative four-step management process typically used in business. It is also known as the Deming circle/cycle/wheel, Shewhart cycle, control circle/cycle, or plan–do–study–act (PDSA). Meaning The PDCA cycle PDCA is a successive cycle which starts off small to test potential effects on processes, but then gradually leads to larger and more
RPR is a problem diagnosis method specifically designed to determine the root cause of IT problems. Overview RPR (Rapid Problem Resolution) deals with failures, incorrect output and performance issues, and its particular strengths are in the diagnosis of ongoing & recurring grey problems. The method comprises: Core Process Supporting Techniques The Core Process defines
TRIZ is “a problem-solving, analysis and forecasting tool derived from the study of patterns of invention in the global patent literature”. It was developed by the Soviet inventor and science fiction author Genrich Altshuller and his colleagues, beginning in 1946. In English the name is typically rendered as “the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving)”, and
A failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a procedure in product development and operations management for analysis of potential failure modes within a system for classification by the severity and likelihood of the failures. A successful FMEA activity helps a team to identify potential failure modes based on past experience with similar products or