填空题 Solving a problem can be broken into several steps. First, the problem must be identified correctly. Psychologists refer 1 this step as problem representation. For many problems, figuring 2 which information is relevant and which is extraneous can be difficult and can interfere 3 arriving at a good solution. Clearly, before a problem can be solved, it must be obvious 4 the problem is, however, this is not as easy 5 it might seem. One obstacle to efficient problem representation is functional fixedness, that is, allowing preconceived notions and even prejudices to color the facts. Moat people tend 6 see objects and events in certain fixed ways, and by being inflexible in viewing the problem, they may be unable to notice the tools 7 the solution. Once the problem is identified accurately, 8 , the second step consists 9 considering the alternatives for a solution. A common way to evaluate alternatives is to write them 10 and then make a list 11 advantages and disadvantages for each solution. Here again, people may be limited by prior experiences. Often people adopt mental sets 12 lead them to the same problem-solving strategies that were successful for problems 13 the past. Although that can be helpful most 14 the time, sometimes a new situation requires a different strategy. 15 that case, the mental set must be abandoned, and new alternatives must be explored.