Question

Answer the following question with the help of the given points (in 80 to 100 words):

Explain the stages/steps of problem-solving:

Points:

1. Defining problem
2. Generating alternatives solutions
3. Selecting a solution
4. Implementing and taking follow up on the solution.

Answer 1

Problem-solving refers to the process of finding solutions to problems encountered in life. It is one of the types of thinking. Problem-solving includes the following steps:

1. Defining the problem: In this step, a person needs to identify and define the problem correctly. If a person defines the problem incorrectly, he will never reach the solution. For example, when a baby is crying due to a stomach ache and his/her mother wrongly interprets it as due to hunger, the problem remains unresolved.
2. Generating alternative solutions: For every problem, there are various solutions, some effective while some may turn out to be ineffective. In this second step of problem solving, a person tries to search for all those possible actions that can solve a problem. For example, if a person is suffering from a severe headache, he/she may start thinking of taking rest, listening to music, meditating, taking medicines, etc.
3. Selecting a solution: In this third step of problem-solving, out of many possible solutions, the person selects one on the basis of the reasoning applied. The reasoning ability of an individual helps him/her to solve problems more realistically. For example, if a person recalls that meditation helped him/her in reducing his/her headache last time, he/she will select the same solution for the problem in the current situation.
4. Implementing and following up on the solution: In the last step of problem-solving, a person actually tries out a certain solution and evaluates the outcome on the basis of whether it has helped him/her to resolve the problem or not. If the problem is still unresolved, a person might have to go to one of the previous steps and carry out the problem-solving procedure again.