Education: Psychological Problem Solving in Everyday Life

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of problem-solving in psychology, focusing on its theoretical underpinnings, research findings, and practical applications. The essay begins by defining problem-solving as a mental process used to identify and analyze challenges, highlighting the importance of identifying the problem, defining it, forming a strategy, organizing information, allocating resources, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes. The essay then delves into the theory of problem-solving, discussing the five stages involved: problem identification, definition, strategy formation, information organization, resource allocation, progress monitoring, and outcome evaluation. Research by Sternberg and Davidson (2003) and Dostál (2015) are discussed to support the theory. Evaluation strategies for consultant psychologists are examined, emphasizing the use of the Theory of Problem-Solving Behaviour to address ethical dilemmas and improve decision-making. The essay also explores intervention ideas, including a decision-making model with axioms and theorems, and the importance of enhancing self-esteem and intrinsic motivation. The essay concludes by emphasizing the value of the problem-solving theory in helping consultant psychologists identify and resolve issues, leading to effective interventions. References to key literature are included to support the discussion.

Running Head: Education
Essence of Psychological Problem Solving In Human Life

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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................3
Body:..........................................................................................................................................3
Theory:...................................................................................................................................3
Research:................................................................................................................................4
Evaluation strategies:.............................................................................................................5
Intervention ideas:..................................................................................................................6
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................8
References:.................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction:
In psychology the solution to the challenges that an individual faces in any sector is dealt by
the theory of problem solving. The psychologists believe that problem solving is a mental
procedure or process that identifies the challenges or problems and analyzes them to come up
with the suitable solutions. Some individual learn from the situations to solve the problems
and some individuals like to utilize their creativity in solving the issues. The essay has been
presented with the aim of conducting intricate research on the identification of the applied
psychology based on relevant theory and other resources in support of the theory. The theory
of Problem Solving has been analyzed along with its evaluation and intervention ideas.
Body:
Theory:
In everyday life every individual is vulnerable to any kind of situations where there can be
major obstacles with which they might to deal with. The challenges in personal life,
education and professional life are common. The problem solving is a mental process that
makes an individual able to identify the problems, to analyze them and then to find out the
best possible solutions. The problem solving method highlights some important areas where
an individual has to be competent to solve the problems. It is suggested that an individual
must identify the problem and this means the individual must have perceive the existence of
the problem. The perceptibility of the problems is an important aspect for an individual. The
individuals must have the desire to solve the problem and most importantly the individual
must be aware about the existence of the problem solving tactics or methods. The theory of
Problem Solving is one of the strategies that have to be understood by an individual to solve

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the problems. There are important five stages identified in the theory. The five stages are
discussed below:
 Identification of the problem: An individual must identify the problem. The
perceptibility about the existence of problem is an important step. The identification
of the right source of the problem or challenge is an obvious step.
 Definition of problem: After the successful identification of the source of the problem
it is important that an individual defines the problem carefully.
 Formation of strategy: Then the individual needs to form a suitable strategy or tactic
to solve the identified and well defined challenge or problem.
 Organization of information: The available information has to be organized well by
the individual. This is also an important step towards successful problem solving
method.
 Allocation of resources: The allocation of available resources in the most rational way
for solving the problem is another important criterion for the problem solving method.
 Monitoring the progress: To be an effective problem solver an individual needs to
monitor the progress of solving the problems. This stage is important as at this stage
the individual can make amendments if desired outcomes in progress are not
achieved.
 Evaluation of outcomes: The final stage is to evaluate the outcomes achieved. If the
outcomes are as desired then the strategy can be considered to be the best suited one
for the particular problem solving (Cherry, 2017).
Research:
Sternberg and Davidson (2003), review that the theory of problem solving can be termed as
the problem solving mental process. The theory highlights that the problem solving cycle

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must be a continuous one and it can be repeated if the desired solution is not achieved. The
most important aspect is the ability of the individual to recognize the problem with whatever
knowledge he or she has. The knowledge gets increased or instigated within the individual
from the past experiences and if there is no such scope then the individual can grow the
knowledge from the current situation and can apply the same in other similar situations. The
cognitive learning theory can be referred to in this context. The individual is more likely to
process information and to interpret as he or she learns. It is applicable in problem solving
also (STERNBERG and DAVIDSON, 2003).
According to (2015), the thinking of an individual initiates with his or her awareness about
the problematic situations and these situations tend to grow into a more intense problem that
deserves to be solved. The theory of problem solving states that if an individual perceives any
problematic situation then he or she must have the willingness to solve the problem. The
individual needs to evaluate the circumstances and the characteristics of the problematic
situation. The importance and the depth of seriousness of the problematic situation is also an
important areas that needs to be evaluated by the individual. The willingness of the
individuals to solve any problem is an important aspect. The problem can be solved with the
right motives and the application of the external stimuli that makes an individual to solve any
problem to achieve the desired aim and purpose and the only resource is the problem solving
tactic that comes from the inner willingness and desire to solve the problem (Dostál, 2015).
Evaluation strategies:
The evaluation of the problems becomes necessary in respect of the consultant psychologists
in various applied areas of psychology. The Theory of Problem-Solving Behaviour can be
implemented in order to determine the current state of problems faced by the consultant
psychologist in his area of specialty. The theory has been developed by drawing principles

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from the Operant Behaviour Theory and also the Social Exchange Theory. It also implements
some of the principles of Cognitive Psychology. It is a non-routine activity targeted towards
altering a state of affairs that is considered to be undesirable. The evaluation of the problem
of the consultant psychologist is to be done in a manner that leads to a change in the state of
the problem or in other words it leads to the approaching of a solution rather than just coping
with the problem. The consultant psychologists offer services of psychological consultancy in
various domains such as sports, education, healthcare, etc. Often the psychologist has to
encounter various barriers in his profession like ethical dilemmas while interacting with a
client. The ethical dilemmas might spring up in the domain of various actions and decisions
those are to be taken by the psychologist to offer consulting services in the right direction to
the clients. The consultant should be extremely careful in exercising his judgment such that
the service is in the best interest of the client. The problem solving theory helps in the
identification of these issues when the decision-making becomes difficult for the consultant
psychologist. Therefore, the theory of problem solving ensures that the major issues creating
hindrances in decision-making of the psychologists are properly identified that leads to the
development of the intervention and remedial strategies (Tallman et al., 1993).
The consultant psychologists should follow the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT in
case of the learners where there are observed cases of attention deficit. This theory can be
applied to the learners with attention deficit through talking or interaction that can potentially
bring change in their behaviours. There is a need for systematic review and meta-analysis of
the approaches of intervention for the learners with attention deficit.
Intervention ideas:
The intervention process follows strategies according to the theory of problem solving
through a decision-making model. Here, the problem solving process moves through the later

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stages from the evaluation to the intervention. There are 2 axioms and 3 theorems in the
intervention of the decision-making process. They are the foundation those help in the
derivation of 14 theorems those reflect the conditions of antecedent those are related to the
four phases of the problem-solving technique. In this theory, the interventions are offered by
taking account of situations those lead to problem awareness and the emphasis it lays on the
generic solving of problems and not on the usefulness of the outcomes of problem solving.
The model facilitates the identification of the root problem and thereby designing the
effective solutions according to the best practice initiative of the consultant. The formulation
of the intervention strategies becomes an easier task to achieve depending on the kind of the
problem identified by the consultant. The utility of this theory is enormous in the domain of
offering the most ethical and effective psychological interventions to the clients Thus, the
intervention principles are targeted to ensure that the consultant psychologist is able to solve
the challenges successfully in his profession and can offer the psychological consulting
services with ethics and benevolence (LAURILLARD, n. d.).
The learners must be assisted in getting their self-esteem enhanced. The intrinsic motivation
can be increased in case of the learners with problems. The motivation is the tool that makes
an individual to regain the lost attention or interest. The self-esteem enhancement is an
important approach.

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Conclusion:
On a concluding note to this report it can be said that the task of consulting psychology
consists of a number of challenges and situations of ethical dilemma those act as hindrances
to the normal thinking process of the consultants. In such stages, the theory of problem-
solving behaviour shed light on the issue that has been the cause of concern for the
consultant. Applying this theory, the psychological consultant can find ways of resolution of
the issue that will contribute to better solution of pertinent problems with the profession of
consulting. The theory helps in proper identification of the problem faced by the consulting
psychologist in his profession, evaluates the issue to identify the central ideas and then offers
effective intervention strategies to the psychologist such that he can resolve the situation and
come up with feasible and logical solutions to the problem. The Theory of Problem-Solving
Behaviour is one of the most widely used theories in the domain of psychology that is
implemented by consultant psychologists in their profession for identifying and solving
various problems of the clients. It helps in the identification of the various barriers or
challenges those are faced by the consultant psychologists and also offers valid intervention
strategies to resolve the issues.

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References:
Cherry, K. (2017) Overview of the Problem-Solving Mental Process, 31 October, [Online],
Available: https://www.verywell.com/what-is-an-algorithm-2794807.
Dostál, J. (2015) 'Theory of problem solving', Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 174
( 2015 ), pp. 2798 – 2805.
LAURILLARD, D. (n. d.) 'Introduction', Styles and Approaches in Problem-solving;
CHAPTER EIGHT, pp. 126-144.
STERNBERG, R.J. and DAVIDSON, J.E. (2003) The Psychology of Problem Solving,
United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Tallman, I., Leik, R.K., Gray, L.N. and Stafford, M.C. (1993) 'A THeory of Problem-Solving
Behavior', Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol-56; No-3, pp. 157-177.