Question 1

The introductory discussion about creativity in Chapter 11 pointed out that

Accepted Answer

A)  the definition of "creativity" specifies that the problem solution must be produced by the process of insight. 
B)  researchers do not agree on a universal definition of the term "creativity." 
C)  researchers have conducted numerous studies on creativity, but this research has not yet been described in many psychology journals or books. 
D)  unlike other kinds of problem-solving tasks, creativity does not require us to reach a goal state. 
A)  the definition of "creativity" specifies that the problem solution must be produced by the process of insight. 
B)  researchers do not agree on a universal definition of the term "creativity." 
C)  researchers have conducted numerous studies on creativity, but this research has not yet been described in many psychology journals or books. 
D)  unlike other kinds of problem-solving tasks, creativity does not require us to reach a goal state. B

Question 2

Dwaine has just completed a high school course in algebra. However, when he needs to solve a problem that uses basic algebra, he finds that he does not know how to apply his knowledge. Cognitive psychologists would argue that Dwaine

Accepted Answer

A)  is having trouble because of the situated-cognition issue. 
B)  should apply the matrix method, because it is especially useful for algebra problems. 
C)  is probably using an inappropriate algorithm. 
D)  should try parallel processing. 
A)  is having trouble because of the situated-cognition issue. 
B)  should apply the matrix method, because it is especially useful for algebra problems. 
C)  is probably using an inappropriate algorithm. 
D)  should try parallel processing. A

Question 3

In which of the following areas are expert problem-solvers and novice problem-solvers likely to be most similar?

Accepted Answer

A)  General memory skills 
B)  Memory for concepts that are relevant to the problem 
C)  Schemas that are relevant to the problem 
D)  The representation of the problem 
A)  General memory skills 
B)  Memory for concepts that are relevant to the problem 
C)  Schemas that are relevant to the problem 
D)  The representation of the problem A

Question 4

If you solve a problem by using the solution strategy from an earlier problem, which of the following problem-solving strategies are you using?

Accepted Answer

A)  The General Problem Solver 
B)  Means-ends analysis 
C)  Analogy 
D)  Backward search 
A)  The General Problem Solver 
B)  Means-ends analysis 
C)  Analogy 
D)  Backward search

Question 5

Jane is given an anagram to solve: DFROJ In attempting to solve the anagram, Jane takes out a sheet of paper and methodically begins to write down every possible combination of these five letters: DFRJO, DFJOR, DFJRO, DFORJ, and so forth Jane's strategy would be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  a heuristic. 
B)  means-end analysis. 
C)  an algorithm. 
D)  working backwards. 
A)  a heuristic. 
B)  means-end analysis. 
C)  an algorithm. 
D)  working backwards.

Question 6

Which of the following examples about intrinsic motivation is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  You are working hard on a task because you know it will lead to a high grade. 
B)  You are working hard on a task because you think it is interesting. 
C)  You keep working on a task, even when you think it is boring. 
D)  You decide not to work hard on a competition with a cash prize, because you know that other people need the money more than you do. 
A)  You are working hard on a task because you know it will lead to a high grade. 
B)  You are working hard on a task because you think it is interesting. 
C)  You keep working on a task, even when you think it is boring. 
D)  You decide not to work hard on a competition with a cash prize, because you know that other people need the money more than you do.

Question 7

Which of the following students provides the most accurate basic information about problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Damon: "Problem solving is a very sophisticated cognitive activity, which most adults do not use in their daily activities." 
B)  Nicholas: "Problem solving emphasizes the acquisition and storage of information, but it seldom focuses on the transformation of knowledge: 
C)  Gracie: "People are more likely to be creative if the problem includes several obstacles." 
D)  Tiffany: "In problem solving, you need to reach a goal, but the solution is not an obvious one." 
A)  Damon: "Problem solving is a very sophisticated cognitive activity, which most adults do not use in their daily activities." 
B)  Nicholas: "Problem solving emphasizes the acquisition and storage of information, but it seldom focuses on the transformation of knowledge: 
C)  Gracie: "People are more likely to be creative if the problem includes several obstacles." 
D)  Tiffany: "In problem solving, you need to reach a goal, but the solution is not an obvious one."

Question 8

Heather and Tom want to bake some blueberry muffins, but they do not have a muffin tin. So Heather takes some soda cans out of the recycling bin, Tom cuts the top 2 inches off of each can, and they use the bottoms of the cans to bake their muffins. Tom and Heather have demonstrated

Accepted Answer

A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  use of an algorithm. 
C)  overcoming functional fixedness. 
D)  the means-end analysis heuristic. 
A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  use of an algorithm. 
C)  overcoming functional fixedness. 
D)  the means-end analysis heuristic.

Question 9

Which of the following students provides the best definition for the term thinking?

Accepted Answer

A)  Denise: "Thinking means that you go further than the material you were given, in order to reach a goal." 
B)  Wilfredo: "Thinking means that you use parallel processing in order to consider many unrelated things at the same time." 
C)  Lyssu: "Thinking requires you to use divided attention in order to contemplate all the obstacles relevant to the task." 
D)  Anne: "Thinking primarily emphasizes the acquisition and storage of knowledge." 
A)  Denise: "Thinking means that you go further than the material you were given, in order to reach a goal." 
B)  Wilfredo: "Thinking means that you use parallel processing in order to consider many unrelated things at the same time." 
C)  Lyssu: "Thinking requires you to use divided attention in order to contemplate all the obstacles relevant to the task." 
D)  Anne: "Thinking primarily emphasizes the acquisition and storage of knowledge."

Question 10

Steve is a college sophomore who is fascinated by politics, even though he isn't currently enrolled in any related courses. He spends several hours each day reading a variety of political columns, visiting his favorite news websites, and talking about political issues. Researchers would say that Steve is high in

Accepted Answer

A)  intrinsic motivation. 
B)  extrinsic motivation. 
C)  divergent production. 
D)  convergent production. 
A)  intrinsic motivation. 
B)  extrinsic motivation. 
C)  divergent production. 
D)  convergent production.

Question 11

Which of the following research questions would have the highest ecological validity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Does instruction in the use of a matrix decrease the amount of time needed to solve logic puzzles? 
B)  How do people determine how many rolls of wallpaper to use when planning to wallpaper a bedroom? 
C)  How does time pressure affect people's ability to solve algebra problems? 
D)  Does culture affect people's likelihood of solving the Buddhist Monk Problem successfully? 
A)  Does instruction in the use of a matrix decrease the amount of time needed to solve logic puzzles? 
B)  How do people determine how many rolls of wallpaper to use when planning to wallpaper a bedroom? 
C)  How does time pressure affect people's ability to solve algebra problems? 
D)  Does culture affect people's likelihood of solving the Buddhist Monk Problem successfully?

Question 12

Which of the following circumstances is most likely to encourage the successful use of analogies in problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Requiring people to use a mental set 
B)  Having people study the source problem very carefully, rather than simply trying to solve it 
C)  Having people try to solve several problems that are structurally similar, before they see the target problem 
D)  Encouraging people to compare at least two problems that have different structural features 
A)  Requiring people to use a mental set 
B)  Having people study the source problem very carefully, rather than simply trying to solve it 
C)  Having people try to solve several problems that are structurally similar, before they see the target problem 
D)  Encouraging people to compare at least two problems that have different structural features

Question 13

Suppose that you want to make a chart that lists the possible combinations that can be formed with four basic flavors of cake and three basic flavors of frosting. This chart would be called

Accepted Answer

A)  a matrix. 
B)  a statistical interaction. 
C)  a visual image. 
D)  the symbol approach. 
A)  a matrix. 
B)  a statistical interaction. 
C)  a visual image. 
D)  the symbol approach.

Question 14

An important potential problem with using symbols to represent a problem is that

Accepted Answer

A)  people typically use at least twice as many symbols as they need. 
B)  people usually construct a hierarchical tree diagram, even though they intended to use symbols. 
C)  people insert the symbols into the wrong matrix. 
D)  people have trouble translating words into the appropriate symbols. 
A)  people typically use at least twice as many symbols as they need. 
B)  people usually construct a hierarchical tree diagram, even though they intended to use symbols. 
C)  people insert the symbols into the wrong matrix. 
D)  people have trouble translating words into the appropriate symbols.

Question 15

Which of the following would be an example of functional fixedness?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wanting to use a rope to tie your car trunk closed and failing to realize that you could use a coat-hanger for the task 
B)  Thinking that you must solve an algebra problem the same way you solved the previous problem in the book 
C)  Beginning at the end of an analogy problem and working backwards toward the initial state 
D)  Failing to concentrate on the surface structure of a problem 
A)  Wanting to use a rope to tie your car trunk closed and failing to realize that you could use a coat-hanger for the task 
B)  Thinking that you must solve an algebra problem the same way you solved the previous problem in the book 
C)  Beginning at the end of an analogy problem and working backwards toward the initial state 
D)  Failing to concentrate on the surface structure of a problem

Question 16

Heidi is taking an online class with timed exams, and Heidi complains that the exams are not fair to her because she reads more slowly than the average student. Heidi's instructor tells her that reading speed and comprehension are skills that can be improved with practice, and encourages her to overcome this obstacle instead of using it as an excuse. Heidi's instructor is encouraging her to adopt

Accepted Answer

A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  a growth mindset. 
C)  functional fixedness. 
D)  creativity. 
A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  a growth mindset. 
C)  functional fixedness. 
D)  creativity.

Question 17

In functional fixedness,

Accepted Answer

A)  if an object has one particular function, we realize that the object can also be used in other capacities. 
B)  we realize that a problem can be solved most efficiently by the hill-climbing heuristic. 
C)  we rely too heavily on bottom-up processing. 
D)  we assign a particular use to an object, and that use tends to remain stable. 
A)  if an object has one particular function, we realize that the object can also be used in other capacities. 
B)  we realize that a problem can be solved most efficiently by the hill-climbing heuristic. 
C)  we rely too heavily on bottom-up processing. 
D)  we assign a particular use to an object, and that use tends to remain stable.

Question 18

Suppose that you are trying to solve the problem of assembling a new bookcase that you have just bought, using a sheet of instructions as a guide. According to the discussion of problem understanding,

Accepted Answer

A)  you must use heuristics in order to understand a problem. 
B)  a problem will have a coherent representation, as long as you have used your background knowledge about your previous experiences with assembling items. 
C)  you need to mentally represent the problem, and this representation must be consistent with the assembly instructions. 
D)  the major component of this phase of problem solving is the decision to use symbols and visual images to represent the various steps that are illustrated in the assembly instructions. 
A)  you must use heuristics in order to understand a problem. 
B)  a problem will have a coherent representation, as long as you have used your background knowledge about your previous experiences with assembling items. 
C)  you need to mentally represent the problem, and this representation must be consistent with the assembly instructions. 
D)  the major component of this phase of problem solving is the decision to use symbols and visual images to represent the various steps that are illustrated in the assembly instructions.

Question 19

Which of the following research topics on problem solving would have the lowest ecological validity?

Accepted Answer

A)  How people plan their route through a hardware store, so that they can locate the items as quickly as possible. 
B)  How diners in a restaurant figure out how to divide a bill fairly among themselves. 
C)  How parents of preschoolers plan a birthday party. 
D)  How students in a geometry class use information from previous problems to solve the current problem. 
A)  How people plan their route through a hardware store, so that they can locate the items as quickly as possible. 
B)  How diners in a restaurant figure out how to divide a bill fairly among themselves. 
C)  How parents of preschoolers plan a birthday party. 
D)  How students in a geometry class use information from previous problems to solve the current problem.

Question 20

Suppose that you believe you can increase your cognitive performance by challenging yourself to work harder and more effectively. According to your textbook, you would have

Accepted Answer

A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  overactive bottom-up processing. 
C)  a growth mindset. 
D)  creativity. 
A)  a fixed mindset. 
B)  overactive bottom-up processing. 
C)  a growth mindset. 
D)  creativity.

The introductory discussion about creativity in Chapter 11 pointed out that

Dwaine has just completed a high school course in algebra. However, when he needs to solve a problem that uses basic algebra, he finds that he does not know how to apply his knowledge. Cognitive psychologists would argue that Dwaine

In which of the following areas are expert problem-solvers and novice problem-solvers likely to be most similar?

If you solve a problem by using the solution strategy from an earlier problem, which of the following problem-solving strategies are you using?

Jane is given an anagram to solve: DFROJ In attempting to solve the anagram, Jane takes out a sheet of paper and methodically begins to write down every possible combination of these five letters: DFRJO, DFJOR, DFJRO, DFORJ, and so forth Jane's strategy would be described as

Which of the following examples about intrinsic motivation is correct?

Which of the following students provides the most accurate basic information about problem solving?

Heather and Tom want to bake some blueberry muffins, but they do not have a muffin tin. So Heather takes some soda cans out of the recycling bin, Tom cuts the top 2 inches off of each can, and they use the bottoms of the cans to bake their muffins. Tom and Heather have demonstrated

Which of the following students provides the best definition for the term thinking?

Which of the following research questions would have the highest ecological validity?

Which of the following circumstances is most likely to encourage the successful use of analogies in problem solving?

Suppose that you want to make a chart that lists the possible combinations that can be formed with four basic flavors of cake and three basic flavors of frosting. This chart would be called

An important potential problem with using symbols to represent a problem is that

Which of the following would be an example of functional fixedness?

In functional fixedness,

Suppose that you are trying to solve the problem of assembling a new bookcase that you have just bought, using a sheet of instructions as a guide. According to the discussion of problem understanding,

Which of the following research topics on problem solving would have the lowest ecological validity?

Suppose that you believe you can increase your cognitive performance by challenging yourself to work harder and more effectively. According to your textbook, you would have

An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Visual and Auditory Recognition

Attention and Consciousness

Working Memory

Long-Term Memory

Memory Strategies and Metacognition

Mental Imagery and Cognitive Maps

General Knowledge

Language I: Introduction to Language and Language Comprehension

Language Ii: Language Production and Bilingualism

Deductive Reasoning and Decision Making

Cognitive Development Throughout the Lifespan

Filters

Exam 11: Problem Solving and Creativity

The introductory discussion about creativity in Chapter 11 pointed out that

Dwaine has just completed a high school course in algebra. However, when he needs to solve a problem that uses basic algebra, he finds that he does not know how to apply his knowledge. Cognitive psychologists would argue that Dwaine

In which of the following areas are expert problem-solvers and novice problem-solvers likely to be most similar?

If you solve a problem by using the solution strategy from an earlier problem, which of the following problem-solving strategies are you using?

Jane is given an anagram to solve: DFROJ In attempting to solve the anagram, Jane takes out a sheet of paper and methodically begins to write down every possible combination of these five letters: DFRJO, DFJOR, DFJRO, DFORJ, and so forth Jane's strategy would be described as

Which of the following examples about intrinsic motivation is correct?

Which of the following students provides the most accurate basic information about problem solving?

Heather and Tom want to bake some blueberry muffins, but they do not have a muffin tin. So Heather takes some soda cans out of the recycling bin, Tom cuts the top 2 inches off of each can, and they use the bottoms of the cans to bake their muffins. Tom and Heather have demonstrated

Which of the following students provides the best definition for the term thinking?

Which of the following research questions would have the highest ecological validity?

Which of the following circumstances is most likely to encourage the successful use of analogies in problem solving?

Suppose that you want to make a chart that lists the possible combinations that can be formed with four basic flavors of cake and three basic flavors of frosting. This chart would be called

An important potential problem with using symbols to represent a problem is that

Which of the following would be an example of functional fixedness?

In functional fixedness,

Suppose that you are trying to solve the problem of assembling a new bookcase that you have just bought, using a sheet of instructions as a guide. According to the discussion of problem understanding,

Which of the following research topics on problem solving would have the lowest ecological validity?

Suppose that you believe you can increase your cognitive performance by challenging yourself to work harder and more effectively. According to your textbook, you would have

An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Visual and Auditory Recognition

Attention and Consciousness

Working Memory

Long-Term Memory

Memory Strategies and Metacognition

Mental Imagery and Cognitive Maps

General Knowledge

Language I: Introduction to Language and Language Comprehension

Language Ii: Language Production and Bilingualism

Deductive Reasoning and Decision Making

Cognitive Development Throughout the Lifespan

Filters