SOLVING PROBLEMS

All of the objects and ideas we use each day are automatically categorized in our brains into concepts. These concepts put characteristics of different object, emotions, and ideas into categories which include other objects with similar traits. Much like the classification of species and phyla in the biological sciences. Based on these preexisting concepts, our brains form what is called a prototype, or an image of what we think something should look like. This sometimes causes us to react more slowly when faced with something that isn't necessarily our idea of a concept, but still is part of one. An example of this would be when asked to name a dog many people would jump to familiar names such as Labrador or Dalmatian, but not as many people would say Rhodesian Ridgeback (a South African dog) because it is not part of the prototypical image of a dog that they have.

To figure out different problems, humans react in two ways: trial and error or through algorithms. Trial and error is as simple as the name implies, but it does not guarantee results. Algorithm is a logical way to proceed and analyze all of the possible outcomes. This however is time consuming and can lead to a lot of data. A quicker way uses the brain's concepts to make things and ideas fit together and then assemble them logically, this is called heuristics. While playing hang man you could go through and say all of the letters of the alphabet, but then you would most likely lose before figuring out the word. Instead you first name vowels and then associate consonants based on common pairs and length of the word. This is an example of your brain using heuristics to solve a problem.

Sometimes things seem to just come to us and become clearer. This is called insight. When all of the puzzle flashes before our eyes and we feel as if we now can solve the whole problem, it defies the ideas of logic. This brings confidence and feelings of happiness, such as are found after understanding a joke or funny story.

Unfortunately, humans like to be right. We sometimes look for information that will make out opinions and ideas seem right, while looking over any evidence that disproves them. We convince ourselves that we cannot be wrong. This is called Confirmation Bias.

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