Problem solving schemas and their applications

schemas in Problem Solving

Schemas refer to the certain interpretation-pattern in our minds, which help us decipher and decode information. When new information is received, our mind automatically interprets it according to certain schemas and that makes it easier to understand the new bits of information. Without these schemas, it would become difficult to synthesize new information and thus we would need completely new schemas first to decipher information. Previously embedded schemas are helpful in synthesis of information or knowledge and this process helps in almost every field from learning mathematical concepts to solving problems at work. Problem solving requires certain specific skills like critical thinking, ability to develop creative solutions etc. But above everything else, it is extremely important to first understand and define the problem.

In every organization and almost in every field, we come across problems almost regularly and are required to develop creative and effective solutions. However this is impossible if we have been unable to understand and define the problem first. Problem definition means that we should be able to put the problem in correct perspective in order to be able to apply set right of tools to it for development of effective solution. For this reason, we need schemas, which would help us study the problem correctly, and chances of misreading are minimized substantially.

For example, in a firm where change is not easily accepted, it is possible that employees would react sharply to every change that organization implements. Employees are then likely to act in a bizarre fashion, deliberately coming late to work, often leaving work half done and so on. The HR department usually resolves these problems but HR mangers would be unable to handle the situation if they have not previously dealt with a similar situation. However if they know that change often generates this kind of bizarre employee behavior in the organization, they would be able to solve this problem easily. This means that if they have a schema in their mind for this situation, they would be able to interpret current problems correctly. Schemas are also connected with the term mental models, which are based on previous knowledge of the task. This mental model may not always contain right kind of information and often evolves with time. Driscoll (1994) believes that "what this means is that people bring to tasks imprecise, partial, and idiosyncratic understandings that evolve with experience (page 152).

It is not always possible to have a schema for every situation. There are some problems, which are completely new and unique, and thus one may not have the right schema to understand the problem. Keeping such situations in mind, psychologists such as Piaget have found that schemas are divided into three categories. These categories are: Accretation, tuning, and restructuring.

Accretation refers to that category of schemas where we have precise model to decipher the new information. In other words, sometimes the new information we receive or problem we encounter has been interpreted properly on some previous occasion. This helps us in recalling the most relevant schemas and then solving the problem accordingly. For example, if employees have been on strike more than once, and their reasons are almost the same each time, then managers can easily solve the problem by correctly interpreting it. This helps in accurate study of the problem and its causes. Thus solution is easier to develop and implement. However in situations where problem is not exactly new but the current available schemas are inadequate for solution development, then tuning is required. In this stage, existing partially relevant schema is tuned properly to fit the new situation and then a solution is developed to effectively resolve the issue. For example if employees have always reacted sharply to change, HR people know how to handle the situation. But if the nature and potential impact of change dramatically alters, then HR people would need to fine-tune their current schemas, as the existing ones would be inadequate. The third most important stage or category of schemas is restructuring. According to Piaget, this is the stage when new schemas are developed because no existing schemas fits the new pieces of information that a person has received. Development of new schemas is however not an easy process and requires thorough understanding of the situation. Apart from that it is also important to read relevant literature and study similar cases in order to develop an accurate schema.