RR01: (In response to "The Candle Problem")
1) This article is about a cognitive performance test called The Candle Problem, or the Candle Task. This test was published in 1945 in order to test a person's problem solving abilities. The test is "how to fix a lighted candle on a wall in a way so the candle wax won't drip onto the table below," using a book of matches and a box of thumbtacks. The solution, overall, is quite simple. The trick, however, is actually using the box the thumbtacks were contained in. At first, the task is presented with the thumbtacks inside of the box, in which case most come up with various more complicated solutions. When the task is presented with the thumbtacks beside the box, most are then able to achieve the best solution.
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Candle_Problem
3) I found this article interesting because it directly ties into the problem solving abilities of designers. Even those that couldn't come up with the optimal solution continued trying even if they just ended up with a more complicated solution. It is the job of designers to take the time to problem solve for the benefit of others. I found it interesting that the wording of the problem and the layout of the problem had the potential to yield all sorts of results. This shows that people solve problems better under different scenarios. I believe this is a good article for beginning design students to read because it shows that even the simplest of problems may not initially seem too simple to solve.
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