Effective problem-solving consists of two steps: 1. identifying the problem and 2. selecting the appropriate problem-solving strategy (i.e., a plan of action used to find a solution). Humans use four problem-solving strategies:

E. C. Tolman emphasized the purposiveness of behavior — the idea that much of our behavior is goal-directed. For instance, employees who aim for a promotion work diligently to meet their targets. Tolman argued that when classical conditioning and operant conditioning occur, the organism acquires certain expectations. In classical conditioning, a child might fear a dog because they expect it to bite. In operant conditioning, a person might consistently work overtime because they expect a...

Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...

The second moment of an area, also known as the moment of inertia of an area, is a geometric property of a shape that reflects its resistance to change. The moment of inertia of an area can be calculated for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. The moment of inertia of an area is calculated by taking the sum of the product of the area and the square of its distance from a chosen axis of rotation. For two-dimensional shapes, the moment of inertia can be expressed as a single...

Machines are complex structures consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that work together to transmit forces. Consider a lifting tong carrying a 100 kg load. It comprises movable sections DAF and CBG linked together with member AB.

A toggle clamp is a mechanical device commonly used for holding and clamping objects in various applications, such as woodworking, metalworking, and assembly operations. Consider a toggle clamp subjected to a force of 200 N at the handle. The vertical clamping force can be calculated, provided the dimensions of the toggle clamp are known.
The toggle clamp system is a machine structure consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that form a stabilized system to transmit forces. The...