Problem solving

As you know, we have concepts of things in our mind, for example, sports. Then, we have prototypes to specify categories in the concept such as basketball, soccer, and football. But, how do we solve things if they do not fit our concepts of prototypes-if they are totally random. Convergent thinking is when there is one single answer. An algorithm is a step-by-step process to solving a problem that guarantees the correct answer. For example, if you are trying to figure out a 4 digit code, an algorithmic way to figuring it out would be to try every single possible combination until you get the correct one. A heuristic way means based on previous information, you solve the problem. So in my example above, a heuristic way of solving it would be to eliminate types of combinations that you never really see such as four of the same numbers or numbers that come right after each other in order etc. An insight is a way to solve a problem, and it is when the answer just happens to come to us out of the blue. Divergent thinking is when there are multiple approaches to a question. Creativity is a way of divergently thinking. There are five things you need to have in order to be creative: expertise/knowledge, imaginative thinking skills, a venturesome personality, intrinsic motivation/doing it because you want to and not for any rewards, and a creative environment where creativity is encouraged.