Types of problems

Problems vary from ill defined to well defined. In a well defined problem such as a mathematical equation or a jigsaw puzzle both the nature of the problem and the information needed to solve it are available and clear. Thus, one can make straightforward judgments about whether a potential solution is appropriate. With an ill defined problem, such as how to bring peace, not only may the specific nature of the problem be unclear, the information required to solve the problem may be even less obvious.

Greeno (1978) suggested one method of classifying well defined problems based on the general kinds of psychological skills and knowledge needed to solve different problems. Typically, well defined problems falls into one of the three categories viz., (i) Arrangement (ii) Inducing Structure and (iii) Transformation.

Solving each of these types of problems requires somewhat different type of psychological skills and knowledge.

i) Arrangement of problems requires that the problem solver must rearrange or recombine elements in a way that will satisfy a certain criteria. Usually, several different arrangements can be made but only one or few arrangements will produce a solution. For example, one can say that Anagram problems and jigsaw puzzles are examples of arrangement problems.

ii) In Problems of inducing Structure, a person must identify the existing relationships among the elements presented. He then should construct a new relationship among them, so that the problem could be solved. In such a problem, the problem solver must determine not only the relationships among the structures but also the structure and sise of elements involved.

iii) In Transformation Problems, one takes into consideration. An attempt is made to change the initial state to a goal state. The Tower of Hanoi is an example of this kind of problem where the initial state is the original configuration, the goal state is to have the three disks on the third peg, and the method is the rules for moving the disks. According to Greeno 1978 solving transformation problems primarily requires skills in planning based on a method called means end analysis. Means end analysis requires identifying differences that exist between the current state and the goal state and selecting operations that will reduce these differences.

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