Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

This report discusses the issue of a college student in love with an older man and the appropriate solution using problem-solving strategies such as algorithm, heuristics, trial and error, and insight.

Running head: CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Critical thinking and Problem Solving
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Executive summary
This report aims at finding the appropriate solution of Helen who is a 19years old college
student. She has fallen in love with a person named Johnny who is 10 years elder to her. The
problem arose when they decided to get married. However, Helen’s parents are not
supporting this decision as they feel Helen should take the responsibility of her family after
completing her studies, as she is their elder child. Thus, the appropriate solution, which is
applicable in these situations, is that Helen should complete her studies, get a job and then get
married to her love Johnny. This will help her balance in between love and responsibilities.
Moreover, the important strategies of problem solving which are highlighted in this report are
algorithm, heuristics, trial and error and lastly, insight.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Discussion..................................................................................................................................4
Issue (s)/problem(s) of the case..............................................................................................4
Solution to this problem.........................................................................................................4
Model/theory/strategy for the process of problem solving....................................................7
Conclude..................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................13

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Introduction
Problem solving is an intellectual process, which involves realizing, evaluating and
then solving problems. Therefore, the main aim of problem solving is to conquer obstacles
and uncover a solution which best determine the issue. However, the best approach for
solving a problem depends widely on the distinctiveness of the situation. Creativity also plays
an important role in problem solving (Frensch & Funke, 2014). Creative problem solving is
not just brainstorming though people do correlate it with but rather it is a well-defined
procedure, which can guide a person from defining a problem to apply solutions. With
creative problem solving, a person tries to search for an inventive as well as formerly
unknown solution to a problem (Baer & Kaufman, 2012). Thus, a creative solution will
habitually have discrete characteristics, which involve using only accessible components or
the problematic aspect, as the basis for the result.
However, there are four basic steps in solving a problem, which are first to define the
problem, then producing alternatives, evaluating and opt for alternatives and lastly applying
the solution (Bardach & Patashnik, 2015). In the premature stages of Problem-solving people
needs to have strong observational skills. Therefore, one need to exhibit their lateral thinking
and analytical abilities, which will further help them to review what, is going on and
identifies the actual cause of the problem. However, finding the appropriate solution to the
problem is not being easy therefore; creative thinking will assist individuals in the process of
problem solving. Critical thinking is mainly utilized when the solution is implemented which
helps access the result and twist the strategy as needed to make sure that the problem is
solved successfully (Cottrell, 2017).

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The aim of this report is to discuss the issue in the case study provided. Following
which solutions need to be provided and lastly, the appropriate models/theory/strategy in the
process of problem solving will be discussed.
Discussion
Issue (s)/problem(s) of the case
The main issue in this case study is that a 19years old girl named Helen is intensely in
love with a man who is 10 years elder to her. However, this man named Johnny is employed
in the same college as an IT technician where Helen is a student. The problem rose when they
decided to get married the following year. Helen is the eldest child in her family and her
parents anticipate that she will start working after finishing her studies and will look after the
family. However, Helen has some other plan.
The main problem here is for Helen, she is stuck in-between her love Johnny on one
side and her responsibilities for her family on the other side. Therefore, she needs to
successfully reach a solution where she can balance both her love and her family. However,
in order to solve this problem effectively Helen needs to follow a chain of steps. According to
previous researches, Helen can follow the problem solving cycle that mainly involves build
up strategies as well as systematize knowledge. Therefore, she can skip few steps or rather go
through few steps multiple times until and unless the preferred solution is reached.
Solution to this problem
The solution that for Helen’s problem can be reached through the following four steps
and they are as follows-
1. Identify the problem- To reach appropriate solution Helen needs to diagnose the
situation first so that she can focus on her issue. These steps include flowcharts as

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well as cause and effect diagrams so that the problem can be well defined and the root
cause can be evaluated (Savery, 2015). Thus, information, assessment of expectations
towards reality as well as focus towards the roots of the problem is needed.
2. Produce alternative- In this case before selecting any one solution Helen should come
up with several other solutions so that she can get the chance to compare the
characteristics of her final solution. However, a standard can help Helen to analyze
the various intended outcome that is suggested by the alternatives. Multiple
alternatives can increase the value of the final solution (Brown & Chandrasekaran,
2014). Brainstorming can be a useful technique for generating the solution for Helen’s
problem. Therefore, first alternative solutions are identified and then they are
analyzed.
3. Evaluate and choose alternatives- While selecting the best alternative there are certain
consideration which helps in reaching the exact solution which are –
 The alternative that has been identified will solve the problem in hand rather
than generating other probable problems
 The alternatives must be accepted by all
 Accomplishment of the alternative is possible
 The alternatives must fit with the issue (Hayes, 2013).
4. Execute solution- However, the selected solution should be implemented
Helen’s solution can also be reached by following the problem solving cycle, which
contains seven steps to reach the appropriate solution successfully (Peng & Reggia, 2012).
Apart from the above four points this problem solving cycle contains other three steps which
are as follows-
[1] Identify the problem

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[2] Explore- Here mainly the problem is thoroughly researched and the possible
solving strategies are highlighted
[3] Set goals- goal setting is also important for reaching appropriate goals
[4] Produce alternative
[5] Select alternative
[6] Implement solutions
[7] Evaluate- after reaching the solution one needs to evaluate the results to
determine whether the possible solution to the problem is at all effective or not.
(Source : Borko et al., 2015).
Therefore, following these stages the solution that seems most appropriate in these
problems is that as she cannot chose any one from among her love Johnny or the
responsibilities of her family thus, what she can do is that she should finish her college get a

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Job and then get married to her love Johnny. Moreover, after her marriage she can work and
help her family. This is the appropriate solution because in this way she does not have to
dishearten anyone. She just needs to balance her love life and her responsibilities being the
elder child to support her family. This solution seems most effective after following the seven
steps of problem solving cycle. Therefore, after identifying the appropriate problem,
exploring it, setting goals for where to reach, and gathering alternatives, from there a solution
is selected. However, this solution has been reached after following the steps which needs to
get implemented and then evaluating the desired results (Whimbey, Lochhead & Narode,
2013).
Model/theory/strategy for the process of problem solving
Problem solving is something, which people faces daily. Problems never seem to end
in anyone’s life and so the need to solve them is endless. As per the studies in cognitive
psychology, there are concrete psychological steps included in problem solving which if
followed properly can assist people undertake every type of problem. However, one of the
significant characteristic of problem solving is forming a superior strategy. A strategy might
be a properly thought one which is rigorous and a sure winner but cannot be accessible in
hand. Therefore, the core strategies, which are included in solving problems, are as follows-
1. Algorithms- Algorithm is mainly a systematic formula, which will always
manufacture an accurate solution. However, a good example of problem solving
algorithm is the mathematical formula (Gandomi, Yang & Alavi, 2013). However, an
algorithm assures an accurate answer, it is not always the finest approach towards
solving a problem. Moreover, this strategy is not convenient for various situations as
it is very much time consuming. Therefore, for instance if one is trying to discover all
the possible combinations with numbers to a lock utilizing an algorithm then it would
definitely take a loner time. The use of the term ‘algorithmic problem solving’ is

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purposely uncertain. This method of algorithms has been an essential feature of
problem solving but in the ancient times the algorithm has been infrequently been the
focus of attention. People must become more skillful in algorithmic problem solving
because of the ever-present automation in the daily lives. Therefore, algorithms are
said to be the result of the problem solving procedure and it is essential that they are
made open and are cautiously studied (Rao & Patel, 2012). The technique of
algorithm mainly comprise of formulating a mathematical design of what the
algorithm needs to calculate and then increasing the algorithm in a way which pledge
that it will meet the specification. Algorithm can further provide a number of profit
and one among them be in the process of development, which includes recognition of
the processes, important decision points and necessary variables, which are important
in problem solving. Moreover, when using algorithm the process of decision-making
becomes more rational. Therefore, the process becomes more efficient and consistent.
Algorithm further serves as a mnemonic device and guides ensure that the variable or
any parts of the problem are not overlooked (Mirjalili, 2016). Lastly, presenting the
solution procedure as an algorithm can permit communication that is more precise.
2. Heuristics- The next important strategy is heuristics, which is the mental rule of
thumb, which might or might not work in certain situations. However, contrasting
with algorithm, heuristics does not always promise a correct solution. Therefore,
using this strategy of problem solving does permit people to make simpler complex
problems and decrease the total number of probable solutions to a more convenient
set (Michalewicz & Fogel, 2013). Heuristics does play an essential role in both
problem solving and decision-making. Heuristics are intellectual shortcuts that permit
people to unravel problems as well as make judgments rapidly and competently. This
strategy actually shorten the decision making time as well as allocate people to

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function without frequently discontinuing about their next route of action. Heuristics
are supportive for many situations but at times, they can also guide towards cognitive
biases. While trying to solve a problem in many cases people take the help of these
rapid solutions by applying these mental shortcuts. Thought there is lot information
that passes individuals every moment but the brain is only capable of registering a
certain amount of them (McLeod & Adams, 2012). Therefore, analyzing all the
features of every situation or decision is not possible therefore, to cope with this vast
amount of information and to make the decision making process rapid the brain
depends on the mental strategies to make things simpler so that this process does not
become time consuming by analyzing every aspect of the details. Two of the most
common heuristics are the availability heuristics, which includes the decision-
making based on how effortless it is to bring something to mind (Muoni, 2012). Thus,
when one is trying to make a decision that person at once remembers a number of
related examples. Another one is the representativeness heuristics that mainly
includes the decision-making by evaluating the current situation to the most
representative intellectual prototype. However, Heuristics can also introduce errors
(Heath et al., 2013).
3. Trial-and-Error- This strategy is the move toward dealing with trying a number of
diverse solutions and ruling out the ones, which do not work. However, impending
this strategy as a first method is an endeavor to solve any problem can be very much
time taking. Therefore, the best utility of this strategy is as a follow up to decipher the
appropriate solution after narrowing down the probable number of solutions utilizing
other techniques (Osiurak et al., 2013). For example if this strategy is explained then
it would be that if someone is trying to open a lock then try to pierce every possible
arrangement into the lock for the trial and error. As an alternative if anyone constricts

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the possible combinations to lesser numbers then it would have been much easier to
solve the particular problem in less time. This problem solving strategy is more
effective while dealing with complex problems. Particularly it is good for problems
where one has numerous chances to get the exact solution (Felin & Zenger, 2014).
Therefore, this strategy is not fir for those problems, which do not have multiple
probabilities to find a way out to the problems. Trial and error strategy is also a grand
way to expand knowledge. Therefore, when an individual uses a trial and error
strategy, he tries to method if it is at all a good solution. If they find out that this
solution is not appropriate then they try another option. However, if this tried solution
worked at once then they have obtained the accurate solution (Greiff, Holt & Funke,
2013). There are also some situations when there are many options and one cannot try
every option to succeed so in the cases they use the options, which has the best
probable opportunity to succeed. Therefore, if this option does not work out then they
can try the next best possible option, which they think is suitable.
4. Insight- This strategy is the one, which take place suddenly. According to the
previous researches, which imply that, insight can take place if one dealt with similar
kind of problems in the long-ago. For example, if one has solved a problem in his or
her past then it will be easier to solve a similar kind of problem at present. Moreover,
it is not always essential that a mental process is relatable with the past problems
(Ostafin & Kassman, 2012). In maximum cases, it has been observed that mental
processes guiding to insight occur outside one’s consciousness. In some problems the
solutions seems to have arrived out of nowhere. However, there are some problems,
which are the outcome of elongated thought process.
However, apart from these there are several other models and strategies in problem
solving, which are as follows-

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 Cause and effect- This strategy is used when there are too many problems and all
of them are competing among each other for attention.
 Sensitivity analysis- This strategy is however, used to identify the quantity of
vagueness or error in evaluating the reference or conclusions (Bardach &
Patashnik, 2015).
 Risk analysis- This utilized to identify as well as evaluate the aspects, which
endanger the success of a planned solution or venture.
 Brainstorming- This is a creative technique of problem solving which is engaged
with formalizing and structuring. Through risk and sensitivity analysis, one can
get assistance to spot the issues and then help to center on decreasing the risk or
sensitivity.
 DMAIC- This is a process improvement tool that mainly helps in first finding the
source of the problem and then discovering the methodology for solving the
problem (De Mast & Lokkerbol, 2012). However, for establishing quality
improvement processes this tool can used for problem solving in majority cases.
Conclude
To conclude this report, it can be said that according to the case study provided the
main problem faced by Helen who is a 19years old college student is that she loved a man
who is 10 years elder to her. They decided to get married but the problem here is that Helen’s
family does not approve this relationship because they want her to take the responsibility of
the family after completing her studies. Therefore, the recommended solution is that Helen
should balance between love and responsibilities. Thus, she should complete her studies, get
a job and then get married to her love named Johnny. The model that has helped reaching this
solution is the problem solving cycle that mainly consisting of seven steps. Lastly, the

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strategies highlighted for problem solving are algorithm, heuristics, trial and error and
insight. Moreover, there are also some other models and strategies that can assist individuals
in problem solving and they are cause and effect, risk analysis, sensitivity analysis,
brainstorming and DMAIC.

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References
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Borko, H., Jacobs, J., Koellner, K., & Swackhamer, L. E. (2015). Mathematics professional
development: Improving teaching using the problem-solving cycle and leadership
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