How to solve the problems of the characters "Game of Thrones": method climber, brute force and negative transference

This passage contains spoilers for the books and the series. Read at your own risk.

Detecting problems

To solve the problem, one must identify it. Although it seems self-evident failure in solving problems often stem from the failure to detect the problem. Then the person is necessary to determine whether the problem is the obvious solution. Finally, it should identify the constraints and tools to develop effective solutions. Could plan solutions, each of these steps requires close attention not only to the problem, but also to its characteristics to the one who solves the problem.

Navigating the space problem

Review of the problem within the framework called space problemsSimplifies its solution. The space problem is limited to the current position on the one hand, the target position - on the other, and between them are intermediates subtasks to be performed to best reach the target state.

Suppose you need to pick up a friend from the doctor's office. Initial position - your friend in the doctor's office, and the target - he's sitting in your car. Sub-task in this example - the observance of traffic rules on the road, as their violation may prevent you pick another. Clear understanding of the respective subtasks says the successful functioning of the executive, because the focus is not only the main goal, but also the avoidance of other problems.

During the War of the Five Kings, Robb Stark pays too much attention to the conclusion of agreements with strong allies, but not enough - that to save these unions. He quickly breaks his promise to marry Roslin Frey, Walder Frey that gives a reason to go over to the Lannisters, Robb treacherously killed and his mother and destroy the army of Starks.

Clarifying issues

Some problems are more concrete and easier to solve than others. The most simple solution is as easy as to pave the way for the map from one place to another when there are no obstacles between them. It can quite be perceived as a problem. Here Robert Baratheon is going to leave King's Landing, Eddard Stark to assign the right hand of the king. With his entourage, he is sent to Royal Route to Winterfell. In this case, the direct route to Robert Winterfell - it well identified task. Her consideration does not require much effort, and the solution is obvious. However, not all the problems are.

Poor identified the problem is difficult to observe, and escapes its decision. Robert Baratheon realizes that his life as a king in principle at stake, but does not see that the greatest danger comes from its Lannister allies. A vague idea of ​​the problem, which he could identify as "I want to kill" difficult to develop solutions, while the clear-cut problem of "my wife's family wants to kill me," would allow to develop a more obvious decision. Robert plays against himself, breaking functioning of thought frequent drunkenness and revelry with prostitutes; he is blind to his own problems at home.

functional fixedness

Sometimes a person is faced with the task, the target position is quite specific, but limited within the space problems make the goal of totally obvious. This condition is called functional fixedness; it prevents us from using a familiar tool unusual way. In studies to address the tools at your disposal, referred operators. Good problem solver understands what operators should be used in a given situation and what restrictions imposes a specific operator.

A classic example of functional fixedness - a problem with the box with buttons and a candle. Participants were given a match box with buttons and a candle and set the task to attach the candle to the wall so that it can burn, then light it. Most do not realize pour keys out of the box, attach the empty box to the wall and insert it into the candle. But good fighters know that weapons can serve anything - so that in the battle with the dog Brienne Tart uses not with sword and teeth to tear off his ear.

Implementations

The discovery of the problem, identifying its nature and definition of available operators - is only the beginning. The next important step is to develop and implement solutions. Some problems have many possible solutions, and some - a matter of unity. In addition, the disposal of the solver is a set of methods, each of which is suitable for a certain situation and choose the right one.

Brute force

The easiest way to solve the problems of the least effective. This method exhaustive search or brute force. Crunch through all possible solutions until such time until you find appropriate. "Brute force" here does not refer to physical action (which is usually meant by this expression), and assumes a non-stop, uncontrollable search solutions.

Early studies theorist behaviorist Edward Thorndike demonstrated the efficacy of the method of brute force in teaching strategies. He put the cat in the box, from where they could see a bowl of food. To escape, the animal had to make some action inside the box (for example, press the lever). At first, the cat pushed and slid the drawer at random, going through all the traffic available to them to find a way to get out. They eventually found a solution.

Grigor Kligan knight tremendous growth, known as the Galloping Hill, follows this approach when offers so select scouts: "The man who does not see, does not know how to use eyes. These eyes have to pull out and give another scout; let him know that you think that four eyes see better than two. " In the service of the Lannisters, he repeatedly uses the brute force method. His horse misbehaves? Decapitate it and bring another. This comprehensive approach is inflexible, but is effective for simple tasks.

climber method

Another way to reach the target state is to work out the approximate solution, and then try to improve it in parts. The final, the optimal solution is achieved when further improvements are possible. This approach is called the method of climber. Problem solver acts like a mountain climber who tries to climb as high as possible, and with each subsequent vertex spots even higher, which then rises.

Margery Tyrell uses this method to achieve the highest position, charming on the way to the Iron Throne young Baratheon, one after another. Here the method of the climber can be called "jumping from bed to bed," that as a result affects the reputation of Margery. Ultimately Cersei revenge "of the complacent whore of Highgarden", giving it into the hands of the armies of the Holy. This shows that the use of one method for solving all the problems of works up to a point, but becomes ineffective if the enemy will be able to predict your actions.

The inverse method

There are examples of solved problems, and to deal with similar problems, the solver must determine which operators and how to apply. This approach is called inverse method; it is used in textbooks of mathematics as an effective way to educate the decision of challenges. So, once in power in Västerås must apply the inverse method, taking as a model worthy rulers, to feel the spirit of nobility and justice for the sake of the kingdom.

Ned Stark, unfortunately his and his family can not cope with the inverse method of solving problems. While among the great houses he is respected as a hero-warrior, he could not recognize the betrayal and conspiracies entangled King's Landing. Ned does not understand that there are no principles of honor and respect, both in Winterfell. In other words, become the right hand of the king is not enough to earn the loyalty of the other Board members. Cunning and ruthlessness - here is a way to gain their respect, but Ned can not adapt, before proceeding to investigate the death of John Arrena. Because of what in the end loses his head.

Make the mind of weapons: an analysis of the purposes and means of

Simple solutions, such as discussed, are not always optimal. The best solver of problems does not adhere to any one method, and explores the problem space, determines the available operators and use them to maximum advantage. This approach is called analysis of ends and means. Its use requires clarify the differences between the current position and the target and use the operators associated with these differences. High-class chess players chase the enemy and put the mat with this method.

Probably the best in the "Game of Thrones" owns Tyrion Lannister, over and over again coming alive from situations where all the odds are against him. He uses the method of the climber to escape from captivity Lady Lisa Arryn, he uses brute force to calculate which of the Small Council spying on them on the orders of Cersei, he is using the inverse method manifests itself as a decent hand of the king, he would not be bound to a particular general strategy, and selects the best means to achieve intermediate goals on the way to the most serious - to secure personal safety and to achieve influence.

Evaluation of results

Man either solves the problem or fails. If a failure occurs, the solver can try another solution (assuming that remains alive). However, even if successful solver must understand what a component part of the solution worked and why. Did I smart enough to find a solution? Do I help? I was just lucky? The study of the responses to these questions helps a person to become an expert in solving problems.

Constructing and changing schemes

Successful problem solvers used executive control, to consider the results. Reflections help to understand the problem as part of a larger conceptual structures called schemes. Schemes - mental representations that classifies and organizes information in order to predict future actions. For example, the circuit includes a hammer its appearance, the method of use, the place where it is usually located, and its relationship with other instruments.

If the decision proved unsuccessful in the scheme should take into account the information to the solver could more broadly explore the space problems for the development of the new plan. When successful outcome updated scheme can be extended to other problems.

Thus, evaluation of the results turns bad the problems identified in a well identified.

Successful training begins with the practical problems, the complexity of which increases with training opportunities. If the problem is too light or too much success, a person can show that he knows everything, but his understanding is incomplete yet. If the problem is too complex, the student will be unable to solve them. Arya Stark's ability to correctly assess its achievements becomes critical to its survival. For example, Arya learns to wield a wooden sword, before taking up a real sword. In addition, its practical lessons diversified due to the seemingly non-fencing lessons - for example, to catch the cat or to balance on one leg.

Practice should also include feedback, clearly defined as the area of ​​skills and gaps in knowledge and skills. When Arya wrong, fencing teacher indicates an error and provides the opportunity to hone skills with the improvement of her mental and physical control. When it builds its scheme, the teacher goes to the indirect support and allows you to plan an independent decision new problems (not excluding the failure), and she Arya remarks that "every failure - a lesson and each lesson makes you it's better".

positive transfer

One way to use the information obtained from previous experience problems solutions includes positive transferenceThat is, thinking about what information is appropriate to the occasion, and efficient use of already tested solutions to similar new problems. This similarity is not always on the surface. The best problem solvers recognize the deeper structural analogies.

Of Arya problems cluttered space pulls out the true essence of the philosophy of water Dance, using such elements such as balance, strength, stealth and speed to take many guises and get closer to their enemies. Thus, effective problem solvers need to think of different situations, to visualize the structural similarity of independently at the same circuit.

negative transference

Success without a proper evaluation may lead to new situations to ineffective planning due to a process called negative transfer. If the scheme is poorly designed, one is under the illusion about its competence and is not able to identify gaps in knowledge.

For example, young Deyneris not have to assess the degree of loyalty to his servants in Dragonstones, for her it was the operators in the space problem. When Khal Drogo wounded Deyneris carries an incomplete knowledge of the situation and convinces Khal allow Mirri Maz Duur to heal his wound. Deyneris gap in knowledge is revealed only when it is too late to assess the results and create a new plan. Unfortunately, the negative transference leads to the death of Drogo.

speculative models

Another consequence of the capacity for evaluation is the creation of new mental models, Combinations of strategies to deal with specific classes of problems. They can develop when a failure causes the solver to come up with a new solution, or when the new situation requires a new type of solution. The one who can not create a new mental model is subjected to a potential danger, as unable to adapt to new situations.

Deyneris brings experience gained as a result of the death of Drogo, and finds skepticism about outsiders and former trusted advisors like Dzhoraha Mormont. It also updates its scheme, takes a new approach to planning, restructures space problems and apply various operators to new problems. Unlike other rulers Essosa, it allows an impeccable freely accede to it, thereby winning the loyalty of former slaves. Deyneris wins, because they do not fall victim to the fixed mental models.

Travis Langley, certified psychologist, philosopher and a fan of "Game of Thrones", gathered a team psychologists to talk about motivation, relationships, pathologies, perversions and injuries heroes great saga. And also explain how your favorite TV series trains the brain and stimulates lateral thinking. Read about self-control, different styles of education and conditions of a successful marriage in his book.

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