Theory of problem solving

The article reacts on the works of the leading theorists in the fields of psychology focusing on the theory of problem solving. It contains an analysis of already published knowledge, compares it and evaluates it critically in order to create a basis that is corresponding to the current state of cognition. In its introductory part, it pursues a term problem and its definition. Furthermore, it pursues the problematic situations and circumstances that accompany the particular problem and appear during its solving. The main part of this article is an analysis of the problem solving process itself. It specifies related terms in detail, e.g. the ability to perceive the problem, the perceptibility of the problem, the willingness to solve the problem, the awareness of existence of the problem or strategies of problem solving. Published knowledge is applicable not only in fields of psychology, but also in fields of pedagogy, or education. (C) 2015 The authors Published by Elsevier Ltd.