Monday, December 6, 2010
Barriers to Problem Solving
Today while taking a makeup test for, ironically, Psych, I realized that I was being affected by a certain barrier to problem solving. I recognized that I was being affected by irrational information. I would focus on information in the problem that had nothing to do with the answer to that problem, and then I let that affect how I answered the question. I would think that one answer was correct, until I reread the question and interpreted differently than the first time because I would focus more on excess information. I didn't realize I focused so much on irrational information, but then thought about how much I really do this on any test that I take.
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I agree! It is really interesting that certain pieces of information could catch your attention for one reason or another, but then when you go back to check your work or review the question, you realize that what you focused on really wasn't a major part of the question. I find myself doing this quite often. I will constantly focus on meaningless information that is simply in the question for detail or background details. I feel as though it is important that I learn to focus on what the question is really asking, that way I can safely and confidently answer a question in correct way.
ReplyDeleteThis same circumstance happened to me in math today. I was taking a test and the same thing happened. There would be a large amount of numbers mentioned in the problem but only a few of the numbers were actually necessary. It definitely helps to double check problems for unnecessary information.
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