Question 1

Which of the following research topics would be most interesting to a psychologist who favors the situated-cognitive approach?

Accepted Answer

A)  When working on a geometry problem, do people solve the problem more quickly if they are shown a diagram, in addition to the verbal form of the problem? 
B)  On a problem requiring a matrix solution, are people faster at solving problems if they have already tried several easier versions of the problem? 
C)  On a math problem requiring symbols, does the amount of irrelevant information influence the accuracy of the solution to the problem? 
D)  What kind of strategies do college students use when trying to solve the problem of getting a ride to their hometown for a vacation? 
A)  When working on a geometry problem, do people solve the problem more quickly if they are shown a diagram, in addition to the verbal form of the problem? 
B)  On a problem requiring a matrix solution, are people faster at solving problems if they have already tried several easier versions of the problem? 
C)  On a math problem requiring symbols, does the amount of irrelevant information influence the accuracy of the solution to the problem? 
D)  What kind of strategies do college students use when trying to solve the problem of getting a ride to their hometown for a vacation?

Question 2

Chapter 11 discusses the effects of ethnic and gender stereotypes on a test that measures math problem-solving ability. This research shows that

Accepted Answer

A)  Asian women perform relatively well if their ethnicity is emphasized before they begin the math test. 
B)  Asian women perform relatively well if their gender is emphasized before they begin the math test. 
C)  European American women are not aware of stereotypes, and so they perform better than Asian women. 
D)  There were no ethnic or gender differences in this study, showing that stereotypes in these two areas are no longer relevant in math problem solving. 
A)  Asian women perform relatively well if their ethnicity is emphasized before they begin the math test. 
B)  Asian women perform relatively well if their gender is emphasized before they begin the math test. 
C)  European American women are not aware of stereotypes, and so they perform better than Asian women. 
D)  There were no ethnic or gender differences in this study, showing that stereotypes in these two areas are no longer relevant in math problem solving.

Question 3

Divergent production

Accepted Answer

A)  is one kind of means-end strategy. 
B)  involves making a number of different responses to a variety of test items. 
C)  is the most valid measure of creativity. 
D)  tends to be highly correlated with other measures of creativity. 
A)  is one kind of means-end strategy. 
B)  involves making a number of different responses to a variety of test items. 
C)  is the most valid measure of creativity. 
D)  tends to be highly correlated with other measures of creativity.

Question 4

According to the research on visual images and problem solving,

Accepted Answer

A)  when people solve a problem using imagery, they rarely supplement an image with verbal material. 
B)  visual images are typically more rational than verbal methods of representing the problem. 
C)  visual imagery often prevents people from solving a problem creatively. 
D)  visual images often allow problem solvers to select nontraditional solutions for problems. 
A)  when people solve a problem using imagery, they rarely supplement an image with verbal material. 
B)  visual images are typically more rational than verbal methods of representing the problem. 
C)  visual imagery often prevents people from solving a problem creatively. 
D)  visual images often allow problem solvers to select nontraditional solutions for problems.

Question 5

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Accepted Answer

A)  the process of problem solving is more passive than most other areas of cognitive activity. 
B)  most people typically emphasize bottom-up processing, rather than top-down processing. 
C)  when faced with a problem, most people become somewhat rigid and simply proceed with their first instinct. 
D)  people typically use strategies that are designed to produce a quick solution. 
A)  the process of problem solving is more passive than most other areas of cognitive activity. 
B)  most people typically emphasize bottom-up processing, rather than top-down processing. 
C)  when faced with a problem, most people become somewhat rigid and simply proceed with their first instinct. 
D)  people typically use strategies that are designed to produce a quick solution.

Question 6

Working memory is important when people are trying to solve an algebra "word problem" because

Accepted Answer

A)  you need to keep the important parts of the problem in your mind while working on the problem. 
B)  these problems usually involve objects that have different shapes and sizes, so it's naturally a difficult task. 
C)  these problems do not use the phonological loop, so it's especially difficult to discover the solution. 
D)  people often miss the obvious solution, and they therefore have to try again. 
A)  you need to keep the important parts of the problem in your mind while working on the problem. 
B)  these problems usually involve objects that have different shapes and sizes, so it's naturally a difficult task. 
C)  these problems do not use the phonological loop, so it's especially difficult to discover the solution. 
D)  people often miss the obvious solution, and they therefore have to try again.

Question 7

When people are solving a problem such as the Elves and Goblins problem in your textbook, they generally avoid

Accepted Answer

A)  using bottom-up processing. 
B)  dividing a problem into subproblems. 
C)  increasing the difference between the current state and the goal state. 
D)  using the means-ends approach to solve the problem. 
A)  using bottom-up processing. 
B)  dividing a problem into subproblems. 
C)  increasing the difference between the current state and the goal state. 
D)  using the means-ends approach to solve the problem.

Question 8

Imagine that you are currently trying to solve a problem. Which of the following statements about attention would be relevant to your situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  You may experience divided attention because of distracting ideas. 
B)  If it is a real-world problem, divided attention is not likely to present a problem. 
C)  If it is a real-world problem, the appropriate part of the problem-the part that requires attention-should be obvious. 
D)  Although attention is important in problem solving, good problem solvers and poor problem solvers do not differ in their ability to pay attention to specific inconsistencies. 
A)  You may experience divided attention because of distracting ideas. 
B)  If it is a real-world problem, divided attention is not likely to present a problem. 
C)  If it is a real-world problem, the appropriate part of the problem-the part that requires attention-should be obvious. 
D)  Although attention is important in problem solving, good problem solvers and poor problem solvers do not differ in their ability to pay attention to specific inconsistencies.

Question 9

Which of the following students provides the best explanation for stereotype threat during problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Alper: "Stereotype threat can usually be traced to overactive bottom-up processing." 
B)  Kristi: "Stereotype threat is basically caused by a growth mindset." 
C)  Kevin: "Stereotype threat typically occurs because people use parallel processing, rather problem-solving heuristics." 
D)  Nita: "Stereotype threat seems to cause a reduction in working memory, due to factors such as high arousal." 
A)  Alper: "Stereotype threat can usually be traced to overactive bottom-up processing." 
B)  Kristi: "Stereotype threat is basically caused by a growth mindset." 
C)  Kevin: "Stereotype threat typically occurs because people use parallel processing, rather problem-solving heuristics." 
D)  Nita: "Stereotype threat seems to cause a reduction in working memory, due to factors such as high arousal."

Question 10

Why is the embodied cognition approach important when people are trying to solve certain kinds of problems?

Accepted Answer

A)  If they examine their immediate environment, the answer is often obvious. 
B)  This approach often produces a strong visual image. 
C)  The problem solver is less likely to use analogies. 
D)  Your gestures often encourage you to express abstract thoughts and terms. 
A)  If they examine their immediate environment, the answer is often obvious. 
B)  This approach often produces a strong visual image. 
C)  The problem solver is less likely to use analogies. 
D)  Your gestures often encourage you to express abstract thoughts and terms.

Question 11

According to the introduction to the section on problem understanding,

Accepted Answer

A)  understanding occurs when we have evolved an external representation for an internal problem. 
B)  a primary criterion for understanding is the ability to represent the problem in matrix form. 
C)  attention is necessary for problem solution, but it is not essential for problem understanding. 
D)  understanding requires a close correspondence between the situation you need to understand and your own internal representation. 
A)  understanding occurs when we have evolved an external representation for an internal problem. 
B)  a primary criterion for understanding is the ability to represent the problem in matrix form. 
C)  attention is necessary for problem solution, but it is not essential for problem understanding. 
D)  understanding requires a close correspondence between the situation you need to understand and your own internal representation.

Question 12

In problem solving, a method that always produces a problem solution (though not necessarily very efficiently) is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  an algorithm. 
B)  a heuristic. 
C)  a matrix. 
D)  the hill-climbing heuristic. 
A)  an algorithm. 
B)  a heuristic. 
C)  a matrix. 
D)  the hill-climbing heuristic.

Question 13

The discussion of insight in problem solving pointed out that

Accepted Answer

A)  gestalt psychologists emphasized the importance of insight in solving problems. 
B)  behaviorist psychologists were especially interested in the kinds of problems that require insight. 
C)  when people solve insight problems, their confidence builds gradually as they work on the solution to a problem. 
D)  people solve noninsight problems more quickly when they realize that their basic assumptions are not appropriate. 
A)  gestalt psychologists emphasized the importance of insight in solving problems. 
B)  behaviorist psychologists were especially interested in the kinds of problems that require insight. 
C)  when people solve insight problems, their confidence builds gradually as they work on the solution to a problem. 
D)  people solve noninsight problems more quickly when they realize that their basic assumptions are not appropriate.

Question 14

A major problem with using the analogy approach to problem solving is that

Accepted Answer

A)  people pay too little attention to structural features. 
B)  people pay too little attention to surface features. 
C)  people select an inappropriate matrix to represent their understanding of the problem. 
D)  people perform an exhaustive search, which is a time-consuming approach to problem solving. 
A)  people pay too little attention to structural features. 
B)  people pay too little attention to surface features. 
C)  people select an inappropriate matrix to represent their understanding of the problem. 
D)  people perform an exhaustive search, which is a time-consuming approach to problem solving.

Question 15

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

Accepted Answer

A)  in general, novices are better than experts in identifying problem isomorphs. 
B)  problem solving often requires peeling away the superficial features of a problem, in order to discover problem isomorphs. 
C)  most problem solvers can easily detect problem isomorphs. 
D)  unsituated learning produces a greater number of correct solutions than does situated learning. 
A)  in general, novices are better than experts in identifying problem isomorphs. 
B)  problem solving often requires peeling away the superficial features of a problem, in order to discover problem isomorphs. 
C)  most problem solvers can easily detect problem isomorphs. 
D)  unsituated learning produces a greater number of correct solutions than does situated learning.

Question 16

According to your textbook, cognition is the acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge. Compared to more basic cognitive processes such as working memory, problem solving makes more use of which of those four processes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Acquisition of knowledge 
B)  Storage of knowledge 
C)  Transformation of knowledge 
D)  Use of knowledge 
A)  Acquisition of knowledge 
B)  Storage of knowledge 
C)  Transformation of knowledge 
D)  Use of knowledge

Question 17

According to the discussion of visual imagery during problem solving,

Accepted Answer

A)  visual images can be nontraditional, so they are sometimes more helpful than symbols and other methods of representing a problem. 
B)  surprisingly, people who are high in visual-imagery abilities are no more likely than other people to use imagery effectively during problem solving. 
C)  visual imagery is helpful only if problem solvers are initially instructed to visualize a familiar object. 
D)  a disadvantage to visual imagery is that it can only be used if you have a clear idea about the solution to the problem. 
A)  visual images can be nontraditional, so they are sometimes more helpful than symbols and other methods of representing a problem. 
B)  surprisingly, people who are high in visual-imagery abilities are no more likely than other people to use imagery effectively during problem solving. 
C)  visual imagery is helpful only if problem solvers are initially instructed to visualize a familiar object. 
D)  a disadvantage to visual imagery is that it can only be used if you have a clear idea about the solution to the problem.

Question 18

Suppose you have just read over an algebra problem, and you have now created an internal representation of the important information. According to the discussion of problem solving, you have mastered the stage called

Accepted Answer

A)  problem finding. 
B)  understanding. 
C)  heuristic choice. 
D)  background knowledge. 
A)  problem finding. 
B)  understanding. 
C)  heuristic choice. 
D)  background knowledge.

Question 19

In order to understand a problem, you need to understand the underlying meaning. This basic core of a problem is called its

Accepted Answer

A)  mental set. 
B)  goal state. 
C)  surface features. 
D)  structural features. 
A)  mental set. 
B)  goal state. 
C)  surface features. 
D)  structural features.

Question 20

According to the discussion of problem-solving expertise in Chapter 11,

Accepted Answer

A)  expertise is typically defined in terms of problem-solving speed, rather than problem-solving accuracy. 
B)  in some fields, expertise is not strongly correlated with the number of years of experience. 
C)  true experts can acquire their expertise without extensive practice because they truly seem to be "born" with their skills. 
D)  experts tend to have an especially well-developed working memory for general information, not just in their area of expertise. 
A)  expertise is typically defined in terms of problem-solving speed, rather than problem-solving accuracy. 
B)  in some fields, expertise is not strongly correlated with the number of years of experience. 
C)  true experts can acquire their expertise without extensive practice because they truly seem to be "born" with their skills. 
D)  experts tend to have an especially well-developed working memory for general information, not just in their area of expertise.

Which of the following research topics would be most interesting to a psychologist who favors the situated-cognitive approach?

Chapter 11 discusses the effects of ethnic and gender stereotypes on a test that measures math problem-solving ability. This research shows that

Divergent production

According to the research on visual images and problem solving,

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Working memory is important when people are trying to solve an algebra "word problem" because

When people are solving a problem such as the Elves and Goblins problem in your textbook, they generally avoid

Imagine that you are currently trying to solve a problem. Which of the following statements about attention would be relevant to your situation?

Which of the following students provides the best explanation for stereotype threat during problem solving?

Why is the embodied cognition approach important when people are trying to solve certain kinds of problems?

According to the introduction to the section on problem understanding,

In problem solving, a method that always produces a problem solution (though not necessarily very efficiently) is known as

The discussion of insight in problem solving pointed out that

A major problem with using the analogy approach to problem solving is that

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

According to your textbook, cognition is the acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge. Compared to more basic cognitive processes such as working memory, problem solving makes more use of which of those four processes?

According to the discussion of visual imagery during problem solving,

Suppose you have just read over an algebra problem, and you have now created an internal representation of the important information. According to the discussion of problem solving, you have mastered the stage called

In order to understand a problem, you need to understand the underlying meaning. This basic core of a problem is called its

According to the discussion of problem-solving expertise in Chapter 11,

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

Which of the following research topics would be most interesting to a psychologist who favors the situated-cognitive approach?

Chapter 11 discusses the effects of ethnic and gender stereotypes on a test that measures math problem-solving ability. This research shows that

Divergent production

According to the research on visual images and problem solving,

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Working memory is important when people are trying to solve an algebra "word problem" because

When people are solving a problem such as the Elves and Goblins problem in your textbook, they generally avoid

Imagine that you are currently trying to solve a problem. Which of the following statements about attention would be relevant to your situation?

Which of the following students provides the best explanation for stereotype threat during problem solving?

Why is the embodied cognition approach important when people are trying to solve certain kinds of problems?

According to the introduction to the section on problem understanding,

In problem solving, a method that always produces a problem solution (though not necessarily very efficiently) is known as

The discussion of insight in problem solving pointed out that

A major problem with using the analogy approach to problem solving is that

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

According to your textbook, cognition is the acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge. Compared to more basic cognitive processes such as working memory, problem solving makes more use of which of those four processes?

According to the discussion of visual imagery during problem solving,

Suppose you have just read over an algebra problem, and you have now created an internal representation of the important information. According to the discussion of problem solving, you have mastered the stage called

In order to understand a problem, you need to understand the underlying meaning. This basic core of a problem is called its

According to the discussion of problem-solving expertise in Chapter 11,

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