Unit 2 - Lesson 3
AP Psychology Lesson: Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Strategies
Unit: Cognition | Lesson: 3 of 6 | Topic: Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Strategies
AP Exam Weighting: 15%–25% of exam score
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring how creative thinking and problem-solving influence behavior, a key concept in cognition. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.
Warm-Up
Purpose: Get you thinking about how creativity and problem-solving affect behavior.
Questions:
- How have you solved a problem in a creative way (e.g., a school project)?
- Why might someone struggle to find a new solution to a familiar problem?
Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.
Key Concepts
Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Creative thinking involves generating novel ideas or solutions, often through divergent thinking (producing multiple solutions, e.g., brainstorming ways to use a paperclip). Convergent thinking focuses on finding a single correct solution (e.g., solving a math problem). Problem-solving strategies include algorithms (step-by-step procedures, e.g., following a recipe) and heuristics (mental shortcuts, e.g., estimating travel time). Mental set can hinder creativity by locking people into familiar solutions. Example: Using a shoe as a hammer shows divergent thinking, overcoming mental set. Insight, a sudden realization, often solves complex problems (e.g., figuring out a puzzle). Creativity enhances behaviors like innovation, while poor strategies can lead to errors. Emotional and environmental factors (e.g., stress, collaboration) influence creative output.
- Define creative thinking in your own words: _______________________________
- Define divergent thinking in your own words: _______________________________
- Define mental set in your own words: _______________________________
- Explain how convergent thinking influences a behavior, using a specific example:
- Explain how an algorithm influences a behavior, using a different example:
- How does insight contribute to problem-solving in challenging situations?
- Why might a mental set prevent creative solutions in everyday tasks?
- How could collaboration enhance creative thinking in a group setting?
Guided Activity
Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A student designs a unique science fair project by combining recycled materials in a new way. Analyze how divergent thinking and insight contribute to this behavior. For example, consider how brainstorming or a sudden realization shaped their project.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in the behavior.
Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.
Task 2: Case Application: Imagine an engineer stuck on a design problem until they use a heuristic to simplify their approach. Apply the concepts of mental set, heuristics, and creative thinking to explain their process. For example, evaluate how overcoming a mental set led to a creative solution.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the engineer’s process.
Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.
Class Assignment – Refer to this unit’s assignment to complete it.
Instructions: Read the study summaries below and answer the questions. If directed by your teacher, use a classroom device to find a related study (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar) to deepen your analysis.
Study Summary 1: A 2016 study found that brainstorming in groups increased divergent thinking, leading to more creative solutions than individual work.
Question 1: How does this study demonstrate the role of divergent thinking in creativity, and what might enhance group brainstorming effectiveness?
Study Summary 2: A 2019 study showed that mental set caused participants to overlook alternative solutions in a puzzle task, reducing creative outcomes.
Question 2: Evaluate how this study illustrates the impact of mental set on problem-solving, and suggest one way to overcome mental set.
AP Exam Connection: This practices analyzing and evaluating research, a key skill for FRQs.
AP Exam Practice
Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how divergent thinking, mental set, and heuristics interact to influence a specific behavior (e.g., problem-solving, innovation, or decision-making). Provide one example for each factor (divergent thinking, mental set, heuristics) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.
Closure
Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how creative thinking and problem-solving influence behavior.
Extended Practice
Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.
- Review your answers from this lesson.
- Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life behavior (e.g., how you solved a problem creatively at school or work). Include references to divergent thinking, mental set, and heuristics, and explain their interaction.
- Find a short article or study on creative thinking or problem-solving (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).