Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of the hill-climbing heuristic?

Accepted Answer

A)  You try to figure out what courses you'll take next semester by obtaining an overview of the initial state; this perspective is similar to the overview from the top of a hill. 
B)  You want to become a social worker, so at each choice point, you choose the option that appears to lead most directly toward your goal. 
C)  You divide the problem into an orderly series of "hills," each of which must be surmounted before you move forward. 
D)  You realize that you must sometimes move backwards (returning to a previous "hill"), in order to move forwards to a solution. 
A)  You try to figure out what courses you'll take next semester by obtaining an overview of the initial state; this perspective is similar to the overview from the top of a hill. 
B)  You want to become a social worker, so at each choice point, you choose the option that appears to lead most directly toward your goal. 
C)  You divide the problem into an orderly series of "hills," each of which must be surmounted before you move forward. 
D)  You realize that you must sometimes move backwards (returning to a previous "hill"), in order to move forwards to a solution.

Question 2

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.

Question 3

Suppose that you belong to an organization in which an average of only 8 out of 12 people attend meetings on a regular basis. Which of the following ideas best illustrates the way of overcoming a mental set when solving this problem of low attendance?

Accepted Answer

A)  Try to think of all the previous techniques the group has used, and vote to decide which technique to use this time. 
B)  Encourage everyone to try to figure out a new way to solve the problem, avoiding the solutions that the group members had previously tried. 
C)  Emphasize the importance of functional fixedness when trying to solve the problem. 
D)  Use the hill-climbing heuristic to make sure that the group members choose the most direct route, each time they make a decision. 
A)  Try to think of all the previous techniques the group has used, and vote to decide which technique to use this time. 
B)  Encourage everyone to try to figure out a new way to solve the problem, avoiding the solutions that the group members had previously tried. 
C)  Emphasize the importance of functional fixedness when trying to solve the problem. 
D)  Use the hill-climbing heuristic to make sure that the group members choose the most direct route, each time they make a decision.

Question 4

Suppose that you belong to an organization that plans to sponsor a speaker for next semester. At the planning meeting, the group members begin by dividing the project into four components: choosing the speaker, making arrangements for the speaker's travel, fundraising, and publicity. This arrangement is closest to the problem-solving strategy called

Accepted Answer

A)  the situated cognition approach. 
B)  the hill climbing heuristic. 
C)  the means-ends heuristic. 
D)  the analogy approach. 
A)  the situated cognition approach. 
B)  the hill climbing heuristic. 
C)  the means-ends heuristic. 
D)  the analogy approach.

Question 5

You would expect a matrix to be a useful problem solving representation when

Accepted Answer

A)  the problem is very abstract. 
B)  the problem is relatively simple. 
C)  the information is stable, not changing over time. 
D)  you need to represent visual information. 
A)  the problem is very abstract. 
B)  the problem is relatively simple. 
C)  the information is stable, not changing over time. 
D)  you need to represent visual information.

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

Research on the means-ends heuristic in problem solving has shown that

Accepted Answer

A)  people tend to move through the various states in problem solving at a fairly steady rate. 
B)  most people realize that they often must move temporarily away from the goal in order to reach the correct problem solution. 
C)  most people are reluctant to move temporarily away from the goal in order to reach the correct problem solution. 
D)  the means-ends approach is roughly equivalent to the analogy approach. 
A)  people tend to move through the various states in problem solving at a fairly steady rate. 
B)  most people realize that they often must move temporarily away from the goal in order to reach the correct problem solution. 
C)  most people are reluctant to move temporarily away from the goal in order to reach the correct problem solution. 
D)  the means-ends approach is roughly equivalent to the analogy approach.

Question 11

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 12

Which of the following students provides the best summary of the situated-cognition approach?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pearlie: "People typically cannot solve a problem unless they picture themselves situated at the goal state." 
B)  Laurie: "Visual imagery is especially helpful because it encourages problem solvers to vividly picture themselves in the situation." 
C)  Vladimir: "Psychologists who study problem solving should emphasize how people can solve everyday problems in the real world, rather than in an artificial setting." 
D)  Samuel: "Psychologists can understand problem solving better if they try playing the role of a research participant who is faced with a representative problem." 
A)  Pearlie: "People typically cannot solve a problem unless they picture themselves situated at the goal state." 
B)  Laurie: "Visual imagery is especially helpful because it encourages problem solvers to vividly picture themselves in the situation." 
C)  Vladimir: "Psychologists who study problem solving should emphasize how people can solve everyday problems in the real world, rather than in an artificial setting." 
D)  Samuel: "Psychologists can understand problem solving better if they try playing the role of a research participant who is faced with a representative problem."

Question 13

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 14

Psychologists who support the situated-cognition approach to problem solving would be most likely to emphasize

Accepted Answer

A)  that people often learn to solve a problem in a specific context, and then they cannot transfer it to other situations. 
B)  how people reach creative solutions, rather than obvious solutions. 
C)  that people can easily transfer their knowledge from one problem to another similar problem. 
D)  how people typically divide their attention among several competing components of the initial state. 
A)  that people often learn to solve a problem in a specific context, and then they cannot transfer it to other situations. 
B)  how people reach creative solutions, rather than obvious solutions. 
C)  that people can easily transfer their knowledge from one problem to another similar problem. 
D)  how people typically divide their attention among several competing components of the initial state.

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

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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.

Which of the following is the best example of the hill-climbing heuristic?

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

Suppose that you belong to an organization in which an average of only 8 out of 12 people attend meetings on a regular basis. Which of the following ideas best illustrates the way of overcoming a mental set when solving this problem of low attendance?

You would expect a matrix to be a useful problem solving representation when

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

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

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

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

Research on the means-ends heuristic in problem solving has shown that

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

Which of the following students provides the best summary of the situated-cognition approach?

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

Psychologists who support the situated-cognition approach to problem solving would be most likely to emphasize

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

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

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

In functional fixedness,

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

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 is the best example of the hill-climbing heuristic?

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

Suppose that you belong to an organization in which an average of only 8 out of 12 people attend meetings on a regular basis. Which of the following ideas best illustrates the way of overcoming a mental set when solving this problem of low attendance?

You would expect a matrix to be a useful problem solving representation when

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

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

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

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

Research on the means-ends heuristic in problem solving has shown that

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

Which of the following students provides the best summary of the situated-cognition approach?

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

Psychologists who support the situated-cognition approach to problem solving would be most likely to emphasize

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

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

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

In functional fixedness,

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

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