As the title suggests, I’m curious whether it’s possible to improve at solving novel problems (ones you’re completely unfamiliar with) through practice. Whenever you read about ‘improving your problem-solving skills,’ most resources provide solutions for common problem types, offering more experience with established patterns rather than enhancing your fundamental problem-solving ability. I’m beginning to doubt whether we can truly enhance our intuition and analytical skills in isolation, without applying them to real-world challenges.
The key to boosting creativity lies in expanding your general knowledge, which you can achieve by reading diverse sources and actively using your problem-solving capabilities. The more you know, the more creative you become, much like how a well-stocked pantry allows for more cooking possibilities.
@SophyGenesis
I really appreciate this explanation. However, it doesn’t account for those exceptional children, like those in grade 3, who just understood long division intuitively without formal instruction.
@SophiaMartinez
Some individuals naturally excel in certain types of thinking. But even these exceptional kids might have grown up surrounded by stimulating experiences like reading, playing with educational toys, or exploring nature. Others might have had less exposure to such activities. I, for instance, grasped division intuitively by playing with Legos, thinking of it as ‘how many 1x2 blocks fit onto a 2x4 block?’
@SophiaMartinez
They might have used toys that subtly taught fractions, with parts fitting together to form a whole. This could make the concept of division seem more natural to them.
@SophyGenesis
While expanding your knowledge and using your problem-solving skills can boost creativity, it’s also true that a lot of a person’s creative capacity is influenced by genetics. There’s no conclusive evidence that creativity can be significantly increased beyond one’s innate abilities.
@Andrian
We understand so little about how creativity works at the neural level that I wouldn’t make any definitive statements on the matter. Genetics certainly play a big role, but how the brain is used is equally important. Studies suggest that individuals with broader general knowledge tend to have more organized brain structures, which might help with creativity.
You can certainly improve your problem-solving abilities, up to a point. I’ve seen people completely lost when first encountering story problems. However, the more you practice breaking down problems and recognizing what’s given and what’s needed, the better you get. Even with problems like crosswords or Sudoku, solving them often requires a consideration of one answer’s impact on others, showing how problem-solving skills can improve with practice. While some problems benefit from knowing a specific approach, like solving a Rubik’s Cube, even a novice can sometimes find their own solution.
A group of 3rd graders learned chess, and though it took some time, they became self-motivated. They eventually decided to shorten the games to 20 minutes, creating their own ‘rules of play.’ This reflects how creativity in problem-solving can also involve crafting new rules or frameworks to suit your goals.
I didn’t fully understand what you meant by ‘gaining experience with specific patterns.’ Could you elaborate? Also, could you share some of the books and articles you’ve read on this topic? It would help clarify your question.
@zane
For example, in an IQ test, you may encounter a ‘find the pattern’ question. Though you might not have seen the exact question before, many patterns are standard, like the Fibonacci sequence. So, if someone has seen it before, they can easily recognize the pattern and solve the problem. This tests pattern recognition more than problem-solving ability from scratch. I feel like many IQ tests measure this ability—intuitive problem-solving rather than pure creativity.
@SophiaMartinez
Thanks for clarifying! I now see what you mean. Recognizing patterns does seem more like relying on memory rather than solving a problem completely from scratch.
zane said:
@SophiaMartinez
Thanks for clarifying! I now see what you mean. Recognizing patterns does seem more like relying on memory rather than solving a problem completely from scratch.
क्ये मुड़े आपसे एक सवाल पूछने की अनुमति है?
Problem-solving is a skill like any other. Start with simple, single-step problems with a clear solution. If someone finds a different solution than expected, don’t shut it down—just explain why the ‘correct’ answer works. Gradually, add complexity. As others mentioned, broad general knowledge helps. Many inventions stem from noticing patterns in nature.
Modeling problem-solving also helps—narrate your reasoning as you solve problems, even if it seems obvious. This helps develop the skill in others and improves your own ability over time.
It really depends on the kind of learning. My great nephew had a natural curiosity for mechanics, but his parents, who were educators, didn’t encourage his interests. Now at 17, he’s lost that curiosity. Like a plant without water, if the interest isn’t nurtured, it fades.