Individuals solving problems : the effects of problem solving strategies and problem solving technologies on generating solutions

This experiment was designed to compare two problem solving strategies, brainstorming and the hierarchical technique, and two problem solving technologies, computer software and pencil and paper. The first purpose of this study was to explore what effects computer software and pencil and paper have on the facilitation of solutions for individual problem solvers. Subjects generated solutions by either recording ideas on a computer or by writing ideas down on paper. The second purpose of this study was to examine how individuals evaluate solutions they have generated.Specifically, we were looking for solution evaluations to differ according to which problem solving strategy subjects received training on, brainstorming or the hierarchical technique. Solutions were rated on overall quality, practicality, and originality on a scale ranging from 0 (being the lowest possible score) to 4 (being the highest possible score).Subjects who used a computer to record ideas generated significantly more solutions than those subjects recording ideas on paper. Subjects trained with the hierarchical technique generated ideas higher in quality than those trained with brainstorming. Subjects trained with brainstorming generated more original ideas than those trained with the hierarchical technique. Finally, subjects rating of practicality did not differ according to problem solving strategy.Department of Psychological ScienceThesis (M.A.