Investigation of Academicians' Positive Psychological Capital Perceptions and Problem Solving Skills

Problem Solving Process

In all areas of daily life, individuals are constantly involved in the problem solving process without realising it. However, since each individual has unique perspectives and experiences towards the problems they face, the solution methods of the problems also vary. In cases where any purpose or targeted situation needs to be fulfilled and there is no unforeseen or systematic method for solution, the presence of incomplete information or lack of applicability constitutes the problem (D’Zurilla et al., 2005; Mayer, 2003; Stevens, 1998). Additionally, factors that cause individuals to characterise a particular situation as a problem are defined as uncertainty, conflicting goals, limited available capabilities and lack of resources, novelty and emotional distress (D’Zurilla & Nezu, 1990).

Problems basically constitute the turning points that develop, strengthen and mature individuals and the organisational structures in which they are located and enable them to learn from the problems encountered (Sevinç, 2014). The problems faced are made possible by solving the problem only as a result of the correct use and management of the knowledge possessed by the person trying to solve the problem, although there is no standard solution due to the first time encountered by individuals and the desire to solve the problem (Türnüklü & Yeşildere, 2005). After the individual identifies the problem he/she encounters in his/her environment, making an attempt to eliminate or solve the problem has a critical importance for the solution of the problems. This approach is based on the combination of cognitive, behavioural and emotional activities to eliminate the complex difficulty and to reach the solution point. In this process, which includes attitudinal components as well as cognitive components, attitudinal aspects such as motivation, effort, confidence, anxiety persistence and self are important for the problem solving process (Jonassen & Tessmer, 1996).

The increasing effectiveness of scientific knowledge and the ease of access to information regardless of time and place increase the need for a labour force based on flexible and solution-oriented skills (Aslan, 2021). Consequently, the problems encountered affect not only individuals but also societies, institutions and sectors. Problems may arise from personal, organisational, social, economic or technological perspectives, so problem solving can be considered as a process of adapting to society.

With the problem solving skills acquired from knowledge accumulation, mental steps can often be used to solve the problems encountered effectively. In this context, problem solving skills include various skills such as defining the nature of the problem, selecting problem solving steps, selecting problem solving strategies, selecting appropriate information, allocating appropriate information resources and monitoring the problem solving process. Furthermore, collecting relevant information, determining solution options and selecting and applying the most appropriate one constitute effective and creative problem solving process (Kuzgun, 1992). Problem solving skills can be summarised as the ability to recognise one's own and others' feelings, to define the issue or problem, to identify and select goals, to create alternative solutions, to review possible outcomes, to select the most appropriate solution, to create a plan of action and to control obstacles, and finally to use the information obtained in future decision-making or problem solving processes (Elias & Weissberg, 2000).

In the problem solving stage, creative thinking techniques go beyond the conventional solution methods and enable approaching from different perspectives. These techniques aim to find innovative solutions by overcoming routine thinking patterns when dealing with a problem. Considering the literature on problem solving in this context, there are many problem solving and analysing techniques (Pal et al., 2017; Sevinç, 2014). Various problem solving methods such as Brainstorming, Fishbone Diagram, Pareto Analysis, Flow Diagrams, Six Hat Thinking Technique, SWOT analysis and TRIZ aim to produce creative and effective solutions by approaching from various perspectives. Each of these methods offers the ability to understand problems in more depth and can be differentiated for specific problems (Fensel & Motta, 2001; Koripadu & Subbaiah, 2014).