Conceptual Cognition and Problem Solving Styles Essay

The article Thinking found in the Northeastern University Website presents insights regarding conceptual cognition and line solving skills. It claims that although race whitethorn have similar concepts, we differ from each other by our conceptual cognition and problem solving styles.To elaborate, the author cites how people define concepts. It shows that people have similar concepts of things especially those perceived by sight. For instance, features including two eyes, four legs, two ears, one tail, barking, sharp teeth, etc., would definitely pertain to a dog. Likewise, a photo of a child smiling is an indication of a smart child, non a sad one. However, at that place are also round concepts in our clubhouse that have changed a bit except not entirely. Although they are modified through eon, a certain degree of peoples cognition of the original concept remains the same. Take for example, marriage. In the past, the concept of marriage is limited to a man and a woman, but now the concept allows man to man marriage, so although the concept is altered a bit, the concept of togetherness and commitment still holds truth.Concepts are arranged into hierarchies. For instance, a bedroom is smaller than a house, and a block is smaller than a neighborhood. Applying it in the school context, thither are students under one teacher, and there are teachers under one director, etc. Similarly, in the corporate scene, there are subordinates and supervisors.Moreover, concepts are formed by definition and prototype. We learn concepts as the environment define them for us. For instance as children, we were familiarized by our parents with the things in the house, such as a table and a chair. Later on when we went to our neighbors, we realized that tables can be in different forms or colors, but the role they play remains the same. Through definition and prototype, we detect similar concepts of things around us.The issue of cognition is not much of a problem but probl em solving styles are. The tether method actings to solve a problem include trial and error, algorithms, and heuristics. In trial and error, one is rebound to use more effort and time to arrive at the sound answer. This method requires several trials and shortcuts, and does not guarantee giving the right answer.The due south method is algorithm. An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure usually involving computations. strange trial and error, it is methodical and guarantees arriving at the correct answer. However, since it requires a procedure, it is more time consuming than the other.The third method used to solve a problem is heuristics. This method requires speculative formulationas a guide in the investigation or solution of a problem. (Answers.com, n.d.). It posits that the background of the matter, ie religion, society be investigated upon in order to arrive at a conclusion. Although this method is not accurate and does not guarantee a definite answer, it leads to a certai n conclusion or information related to the problem.Each of the methods has its proclaim advantages and disadvantages. When combined, the three methods will help one arrive at a valid answer. For instance, when conducting research, it is not enough to present statistics of people experiencing a precise problem. One needs to dwell on observations, surveys, interviews, etc. to obtain a full view of the situation.Applying this to the classroom scenario, students should be taught how to apply and combine the three methods in order to facilitate problem solving tasks. Particularly, when teaching research, teachers should bear teaching and application of the three methods so that students will not and have options but arrive at definite and valid conclusions for their study.ReferencesAlgorithm. Retrieved 5 August 2008, from http//www.answers.com/topic/algorithmHeuristic. Retrieved 5 August 2008, from http//www.answers.com/heuristic