Thinking Skills and Problem Solving Report: Analysis of Dilemma

This report delves into the application of thinking skills and problem-solving techniques to address a complex dilemma faced by a 19-year-old girl. The core issue revolves around her relationship with a man ten years her senior and the subsequent disapproval from her parents. The report employs the Mop It approach as the primary problem-solving methodology, outlining its various components such as problem treatment, redirection, and toleration. It provides a detailed analysis of the problem, identifying key issues and variables, and exploring potential outcomes and solutions. The report emphasizes the importance of recognizing the problem, analyzing its underlying causes, and implementing effective strategies to achieve a favorable resolution. The proposed solution involves the girl delaying marriage to gain financial independence and parental support. The report concludes by highlighting the significance of problem-solving in everyday life and its role in individual growth and development. The assignment explores the application of the Mop It approach, problem analysis, and solution implementation to solve the case study.

Running head: THINKING SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Thinking Skills and Problem Solving
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author notes:

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Executive summary
The sole purpose of the following report is to identify and solve the dilemma of a 19 year old
girl who has to choose between being with her love interest and supporting the decisions and
expectations of her parents. The core problem is the 10 year age difference that exists
between the couple and that has been identified to be the reason behind the following
problems. The paper intends to communicate the methods that are involved in the process of
problem solving. The Mop It approach of problem solving has identified as the ideal method
and it is the method which can end the problem in hand. The use of the model and how it can
be applied in solving the problem has been discussed. Favourable outcomes would involve
the girl waiting for a few years before marriage, in which she would be competent enough to
get a job and support her family.

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Table of Contents
Discussion..................................................................................................................................4
Mop It Approach........................................................................................................................5
Treatment of the problem...................................................................................................5
Redirection of the problem.................................................................................................5
Tolerating the problem.......................................................................................................6
Optimization of Problem Solving..............................................................................................6
Problem recognition...........................................................................................................7
Finding possible outcomes.................................................................................................7
Identification of the best solution.......................................................................................7
Solution implementation....................................................................................................7
Problem Identification................................................................................................................7
First Problem......................................................................................................................7
Second problem..................................................................................................................8
Problem Analysis.......................................................................................................................9
Recognize the problem.......................................................................................................9
Identification of reason behind the problem......................................................................9
Identification of variables................................................................................................10
Relation between the solution and the real world............................................................10
Implications of the solution..............................................................................................10
Application of the ‘Mop It’ Approach.....................................................................................11

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Redirection...........................................................................................................................11
Tolerating.............................................................................................................................12
Conclusion................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
A problem can be defined as a situation that is was not expected and which is deemed
to be seen as a barrier to smooth operation or functioning of any process or function. There
can be different meanings of the word problem. It can be types of problems types of problems
that students face in examinations and tests, problem such as mathematical problems. It can
be considered as an unanswered question, or it can be thought of as an individual or object
that causes difficulty to someone or many people. Judging by the severity, a problem can be
termed as an individual problem, superior or a minor problem. A problem can be as a result
of both internal and external affairs. In lay man’s term problem solving deals with solving
problems. Problem solving involves techniques that help cater to various kinds of problems.
It is vital since without a good problem solving framework, the problem ceases to disappear.
This report focuses on the case study that involves a nineteen year old girl named
Helen who is supposedly in love with an IT technician named Johnny who is ten years older
than her. The girl’s parents disapprove of their relationship and think otherwise about the
couple’s plan to get married the following year since they believe that their daughter is not
matured enough to get married. Additionally, Helen is the eldest of the seven children of her
family and she was expected to support her family. The paper throws light on problem
solving as a whole, describes the model that was adopted for the scenario and states how it
would help in solving the problem along with the possible outcomes.
Discussion
People come across various problem in their everyday lives. All problems however,
cannot be solved. Whether they like it or not, some problems can never be solved. The
problems that cannot be solved can be either eliminated or either put on hold for the time

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being. One often comes across a point where they have many problems together and being
humans they cannot cater to all at once. Thus arises the importance of dealing with one
problem at a time. The problems that are not being dealt with at the moment will be held and
by the time that the problem is held it might even cease to exist, if not they can be coped with
or solved later. This can be explained with the ‘Stop It’ and ‘Mop it’ approach. The report
finds perfect correlation of the current case study and will thus discuss and implement the
‘Mop It’ Approach.
Mop It Approach
The focus of the mop it approach is not directly on the problem. Rather focusing on
the problem itself, this approach focuses on the effects of the problem. The Mop it approach
can be implemented in three ways:
 Treatment of the problem
 Redirection of the problem
 Tolerating the problem
Treatment of the problem
This method of application of the mop it approach involves treating or working out a
treatment for the concerned problem. This treat it approach is not as nearly affective as the
measures that are involved with the prevention of the problem.
Redirection of the problem
Redirection of the problem involves deflection of the problem by rescheduling the
time to cope or solve the problem or by simply moving away from the source cause of the
problem. It can be said that moving away from the problem can help in attaining temporary
relief from the problem, although one has to keep in mind that moving away from the

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problem does not end the problem. Redirection is aimed at reducing the momentary stress by
postponing the solving process or by performing activities through which the problem can be
solved in the long run.
Tolerating the problem
This method can be said to be contradictory regarding whether this approach actually
solves a problem. This approach is characterized by baring with or tolerating the problem.
Suppose one is facing the problem not being able to fall asleep at night, then they can choose
to take two step: taking sleeping pills or giving it more time so that sleep comes naturally.
The latter is said to be the application of the tolerating approach where the individual decides
to cope with the prevalence of the problem which is sleep apnea.
Optimization of Problem Solving
There are various techniques involved in a problem solving process. Irrespective of
the technique, the process of problem solving always follows the following steps. To make
the process of solving a problem quicker, one has to plan the process before commencing.
Problem solving has existed ever since man walked the surface of earth (Marshall, 2015).
Human beings were nomads who used to move from one place to another in search of food.
The problem back then was to find a continuous source of food. Thus man discovered
agriculture. Another instance was when humans discovered weapons after they detected the
problems caused by wild animals. Thus it can be said that problem solving is the second
nature of man. Problem solving is a process which involves, scanning and analyzing one’s
environment, need for identification of necessary factors that that are required to change
which would be followed by devising a solution by deciding what is to be done in order to
arrive at a desired situation. Problem solving has been responsible almost every invention

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other than the ones that were done by accident. It is the ultimate requisite for individual
enhancement and growth.
Problem recognition
The first step in solving a problem is to recognize the need to solve the problem. A
problem generally comes to our notice only when it becomes a matter of grave concern.
Problems can be recognized and are of two types: Closed ended problem and Open ended
Problems. The analysis of a problem becomes a highly essential part if one aims to come up
with suitable solutions.
Finding possible outcomes
Various outcomes and strategies that can be carried out to solve a problem and should
be properly thought of before choosing the best strategy that is best suited to help in solving
the problem in hand.
Identification of the best solution
This step involves deciding the best possible outcome from an array of possible
strategies. Factors such as advantages of adapting the strategy verses the limitations and the
risks related to the solution is generally involved in the step.
Solution implementation
The last step involves implementation of the solution followed by evaluation of the
outcomes of the solution. It is further characterized by monitoring of the solution and
involves measuring long term success.

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Problem Identification
First Problem
The relation in characterized by a huge age difference between Helen and Johnny.
The 19 year old girl is a college student and possibly is a first year student. On the other
hand, her love interest Johnny is an IT Technician who is 29 years old. There exists a gap of
ten years between the couple. Furthermore, they wish to get married. Although Johnny is of
marriageable age because twenty nine is an age that is considered marriageable in every
culture unlike in the case of the nineteen year old girl. In some cultures such as India,
Bangladesh and Pakistan is quite normal for people to get married at an early age. If a person
is over the age of eighteen they are considered to be marriageable. There existed no bar to age
regarding age which was put to an end several laws (Rathbone, 2018). Child marriage has
been something of great concern for countries mentioned above, although this problem was
put to an end by government laws such as the abolition of child marriage in India. Although
Helen is of marriageable age, she is still a teenager and people of that age are considered to
be immature. Considering the age gap this relationship is a mismatch.
Second problem
Another major problem is the disapproval of Helen’s parents concerning her
relationship with Johnny. It is natural for parents to be protective of their daughter.
Considering that their lies this huge age difference, nine out of ten parent would share the
same opinion of disapproval. The couple additionally wish to get married the following year.
Even if the problem of age difference is neglected there arises another problem from the
standpoint of Helen’s parents which is the fact that she is the eldest of the seven children that
they have. Her parents expected that she being the eldest of her siblings would support their
family financially. Now if the girl marries the man, she will not be able to support her family.

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The former will not be able to do so since she does not yet have a degree that is powerful
enough to get her a job that she could support her family. Moreover there would lie doubt
regarding the fact whether she would work at all after marrying Johnny. Thus the above
assumptions from her parents made them disapprove their relationship.
Both the problems in this case are different although it is evident that they are
interlinked. Helen’s age is a major cause behind this problem which can be linked as the
reason behind her parents’ disapproval of the relationship along with the fact that this will not
allow her to support her family as her parents wanted her to.
Problem Analysis
The next step in solving the problem is to analyze the problem by having a problem
analysis strategy. Following are the five step that will help analyze the problem effectively:
Recognize the problem
As stated the above, the problem has been clearly identified. To recap, the issue
involves existence of two problems. The first problem has been identified as the huge age
difference in the age gap of the couple that would make their situation unconventional. The
second problem has been identified as the disapproval of the girl’s parents since they do not
comply with the couple’s intention to get married and as they had an expectation which
involved the girl supporting her family being the eldest of her siblings.
Identification of reason behind the problem
After the problem has been identified, identification of the reason behind the
formation of such problems are crucial if one hopes to solve problem. The reason behind the
first problem has been detected as the affinity that Helen and Johnny have for each other. It is
the job of a psychologist to determine how two individuals fall for each other. It is a known

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proverb that ‘Love has no barriers’ which in this case this turned out to be true since the
couple in this case are aged almost a decade apart from each other, yet they fell for each
other. The cause behind the second problem is different cultural values (Becker et al., 2014).
Even though people have become modern as time progressed but a person’s culture modifies
how they behave. Circumstances needed Helen to stay beside her family and being the eldest
of her sibling’s, her parents’ expectations also played a part in the creation of the problem.
Identification of variables
The parties involved with the problem have been termed as the variables who are
linked with the problem and can get affected by the outcomes of the problem. The variables
associated with this problem are:
 The 19 years old girl Helen
 The 29 years old IT technician Johnny
 The parents of Helen
 The 6 other younger siblings of Helen
Relation between the solution and the real world
The ‘Mop It’ Approach has been chosen as the appropriate solution for the problem
that is in hand. The solution to the problem will be characterized by the involvement of two
of the three ways of the ‘Mop It’ approach which are: a) Redirection of the problem and b)
Tolerating the problem. Although the theory is looks appropriate for the given conditions, but
it might be difficult to carry out in real life. One can be sure of the real world implications on
the execution of the solution.
Implications of the solution
Devising the solution does not mean that the problem will cease to exist. The solution
can merely shows the path through which the problem can be coped with. The effects on the

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variables is something that requires close scrutiny. The Mop it approach can help in solving
the problem that is in hand although it is known that for every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction (Newton, 2014). How the solution will affect the parties has to be adjudged
to complete the problem analysis.
Application of the ‘Mop It’ Approach
As discussed above the implementation of the Mop it approach can follow three
measures. From the Mop It approach, two processes, namely, the redirection method and the
toleration method will be adopted. The present situation is such that Helen has to look at both
sides of the coin. In certain situations it becomes difficult for individuals to choose between
alternatives since the opportunity cost related to debarring one for the other alternative is
huge (Apostolou, 2016). She cannot simply choose to stick with her love interest and
abandon her family. The dilemma that Helen is faced with can be mitigated by applying Mop
It approach. This might imply that the girl has to change her plans and changes have to be
incorporated in her decision to help her cater to both the parties: Johnny and her family.
Redirection
The redirection theory provides Helen with a strategy that can help cater to both her
needs. The plan would need her to postpone her decision to get married with Johnny the
following year. Although they wish to get married the following year, it would be for best for
their interests if they postpone the marriage by few years. The age of the girl suggests that she
is in the first or second term of her college. Through the redirection approach it is suggested
that she should first complete her higher education before getting settled. If not higher
education till master level, she should at least complete her undergraduate course, which
would make her competent enough in the job market. If she follows this it will help in
managing both her romantic and family affairs. The completion of the degree will put her in a