Problem Solving by analogy:
Definition: Problem
solving by analogy refers to the process of solving a new problem by drawing
upon the knowledge and solutions from a similar, previously solved problem.
Importance of Analogy in Problem Solving:
·
Analogies help us make connections between problems
that may appear unrelated at first.
·
They enable us to transfer knowledge and solutions
from one domain to another.
·
Analogies stimulate creativity and innovation by
providing new perspectives on problem solving.
Steps in Problem Solving by Analogy:
Identify the target problem: Clearly define the problem that needs to be solved.
Find a source problem: Search for a previously solved problem that shares
similarities or patterns with the target problem.
Extract the underlying principles: Identify the key principles or
strategies used to solve the source problem.
Apply the principles to the target problem: Adapt and apply the principles from
the source problem to the target problem.
Evaluate and refine the solution: Assess the effectiveness of the
applied principles and refine the solution as needed.
Examples of Problem Solving by Analogy:
1.
Wright Brothers and Bird Flight: The Wright Brothers’ observation and
understanding of bird flight helped them design the first successful airplane.
2.
Velcro: The invention of Velcro was inspired
by the observation of burrs sticking to clothes and fur.
3.
NASA’s Mars Rovers: NASA engineers used the analogy of
remote-controlled cars to design and operate Mars rovers.
Benefits of Problem Solving by Analogy:
·
Enhanced creativity and innovation
·
Accelerated problem-solving process
·
Efficient utilization of existing knowledge and
solutions
·
Increased flexibility and adaptability in solving new
problems
Challenges in Problem Solving by Analogy:
·
Identifying appropriate source problems that have
relevant similarities to the target problem.
·
Extracting the underlying principles effectively.
·
Adapting the principles to fit the target problem
context.
·
Avoiding potential pitfalls of overgeneralization or
oversimplification.
Tips for Effective Problem Solving by Analogy:
·
Build a diverse knowledge base: The broader your knowledge, the more diverse analogies
you can draw upon.
·
Seek inspiration from various domains: Look beyond your immediate field to
find relevant analogies.
·
Analyze successful solutions: Understand the underlying principles
that led to success in previous problems.
·
Practice and refine your analogy skills:
The more you
practice, the better you become at recognizing analogies and applying them
effectively.
Conclusion: Analogical problem solving is a valuable cognitive tool that
can help us overcome challenges and find innovative solutions. By leveraging
the power of connections and drawing upon existing knowledge, we can approach
problem solving from fresh perspectives and unlock our creative problem-solving
potential.
References:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_metaphor#:~:text
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1129778
https://www.grin.com/document/276480
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