Cognitive Psychology: Mean–End Analysis

 THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Definition: 

Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use

knowledge, facts, data to effectively solve the problem. It involves a number of mental activities, such as inferring, reasoning, imagining, judging, problem solving and critical thinking. In psychology problem solving refers to the process of finding solutions to problem encountered in life.

For Example: In customer service you might find a scenario like, “ How would you handle an angry customer?” Or “How do you respond when a customer asks for refund? Practicing how you might handle these scenarios in industry can help you call upon solutions quickly when they arise on the job.

STEPS TOWARDS PROBLEM SOLVING

 Define the problem. What is the problem?

 Clarify the problem

 Identify the root cause of the problem

 Generate alternative solutions or new idea to solve the problem  Implement and evaluate

 Evaluate and follow up on the solutions

   

 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS 

 Understand the causes of problems

 Overcome short-term crises

 Create strategies to solve longer term problems  Turn problems into opportunity

 Have the ability to decide a good solution

 Managing Risk

 Managing Emotions

 Get a good nights sleep

 Use mind maps to help visualise the problem

THE SIX-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING MODEL:

   

 ADVANTAGES  OF SIX-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING

 The Six-Step method provides a focused procedure for the problem solving group

1. It ensures consistency, as everyone understands the approach to be used

2. By using data, it helps eliminate bias opinion

3. It helps to remove divisions and encourages collaborative working

4. It eliminate the confusion caused when people use different problem solving techniques on the same issue.

5. It makes the decision making process easier

6. It provides justifiable solutions

SIX-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING DIAGRAM:

  

 MEAN END-ANALYSIS

 Analysis is a simple tool that helps you to identify the practical steps needed to solve a problem or reach a desired state same as mean end analysis is a problem solving technique used commonly in artificial intelligence for limiting search in AI programs. It is a strategy to control search in problem solving and it solves problems by defining the goals and establishing the right action plan.

  

WHERE IS IT USED? 

 1. Mean end analysis is a creative problem solving technique used in Artificial Intelligence application for a longer period of time. From the search space of possible solution available in the system, AI selects the best possible solution by applying the right search strategy or algorithm. This algorithm deals with an initial state and end state and the action plan and movement in forwarding and backward directions.

• In General Management area, mean end analysis facilitates organisation planning to attain the goals.

• In personal life also one can follow mean end analysis methodology to solve problems or attain specific goal. It helps to understand overwhelming situations by clearly understanding the reasons for current status

• Mean end analysis helps in avoiding frustrations and mental depression and lead to peaceful life.

• These processes are further split into sub-process for effective implementation.

• Mean end analysis used in computer and engineering to help study decision points and actions.

• Mean end analysis works well for projects in any field

 HOW DOES MEAN END ANALYSIS WORK

1. Measures the current state and identifies the problems

2. Defines the goal state to be reached

3. Splits the goals into sub-goals and sub-goals into sub-sub-goals.

For Example: Long term goals can be split into short term goals and further

 

4. Include all intermediate steps, relevant actions to address the issues faced in the current situation

5. Makes these steps detectable and device ways and means to track even small changes in the actual and to be state.

 ALGORITHMS FOR MEAN END ANALYSIS 

• The algorithms provide the best possible solutions to a problem, and it contains the well defined step by step resolution to the given problem. One will have to follow this mathematical template of steps blindly and it is expected to produce the end result.

• These algorithms can be used as input to develop computer programs and implement a solution.

• Algorithms and generally used where accurate result can be expected and the time to complete the activity. Algorithms are deployed in planned activity e.g. (Organisation Planning)

THE ALGORITHM FOR MEAN CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS.

   

 STEP 1: Measure the current state of things by doing as it is the study

 STEP 2: Capture the deficiency in the current state for improvement and

define the goal state

 STEP 3: Compare the current state and the goal state and if they are the same level the problem is solved

 STEP 4: List differences between the current state and the goal state at micro and macro level

 STEP 5: Convert the differences into deletions/modifications to current state and new additions

 STEP 6: Define the action to implement the changes as defined in step 5

 STEP 7: Implement the changes and measure the actual results with the

planned goals

 STEP 8: Do course correction and achieve the final goal

CONCLUSION: 

Problem solving and mean end analysis are interrelated to each other because both of them help us in problem solving. Mean end analysis is basically a problem solving technique itself it suggest very useful means of solving the problems a person is facing. Thinking is a basic process of human cognition if a person stays relaxed he is able to think peacefully and solve the problems by analysing the issue through the thought process of problem solving both of these processes have helped people over come any kind of situation which is hard for them to face. A problem can not be solved with analysing it so for that both of the processes play a vital role in the thought process of a person.

 

REFERENCES 

https://asq.org/quality-resources/problem-solving https://cmoe.com/blog/10-ways-to-improve-problem-solving-skills/ https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-a-means-end-analysis--cms-40649

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/problem-solving- skills#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20in%20customer%20service,they%20arise %20on%20the%20job.

https://www.uapb.edu/sites/www/Uploads/Assessment/webinar/session%204/Exa mple%20of%20generic%20assignment%20for%20Problem%20Solving_02.pdf

https://www.toolshero.com/problem-solving/ https://kepner-tregoe.com/blogs/what-is-problem-solving-and-why-is-it-important/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4IC3T_IiywM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lSCGOmzQm8I