Question 1

Which of the following represents an insightful problem solution?

Accepted Answer

A) A child uses his or her shoe lace to tie two sticks together to knock an apple from a tree. 
B) A poker player discards his lowest card and draws an ace. 
C) A geometry student applies a formula to figure the area of a triangle. 
D) A physician decides to perform surgery even though the odds are against its success. 
A) A child uses his or her shoe lace to tie two sticks together to knock an apple from a tree. 
B) A poker player discards his lowest card and draws an ace. 
C) A geometry student applies a formula to figure the area of a triangle. 
D) A physician decides to perform surgery even though the odds are against its success.

Question 2

When tested with Karl Duncker's candle problem,five-year-old children showed no signs of functional fixedness because,compared to adults,the children

Accepted Answer

A) could visualize the problem better. 
B) could physically manipulate the objects with more dexterity. 
C) had less experience with the uses of the various objects. 
D) had more experience with the uses of the various objects. 
A) could visualize the problem better. 
B) could physically manipulate the objects with more dexterity. 
C) had less experience with the uses of the various objects. 
D) had more experience with the uses of the various objects.

Question 3

A mental block to problem solving that is due to excessive self-criticism or involves an inablity to tolerate ambiguity is called

Accepted Answer

A) perceptual consolidation. 
B) an emotional barrier. 
C) a conceptual block. 
D) functional fixedness. 
A) perceptual consolidation. 
B) an emotional barrier. 
C) a conceptual block. 
D) functional fixedness.

Question 4

Ginny is 70 years old and is taking a computer course at the local community college.She is learning to use the word processing feature on a computer and is attempting to "copy and paste" a section of text.As she attempts this procedure,she "talks" herself through the steps that her instructor taught her.To complete this task,Ginny is using

Accepted Answer

A) an algorithm. 
B) a heuristic. 
C) insight. 
D) a random search strategy. 
A) an algorithm. 
B) a heuristic. 
C) insight. 
D) a random search strategy.

Question 5

If you are asked to multiply a four-digit number and a three-digit number and you follow the steps you were taught in the fifth grade,then you are utilizing a heuristic.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of the following is fast,fairly effortless thinking that frees "space" in short­term memory and makes it easier to work on a problem?

Accepted Answer

A) automatic processing 
B) algorithmic thinking 
C) mnemonic processing 
D) trial-and-error thinking 
A) automatic processing 
B) algorithmic thinking 
C) mnemonic processing 
D) trial-and-error thinking

Question 7

Mae was asked to solve the following problem: Pretend that you are a bus driver.You begin the day with an empty bus.At your first stop,you let on 10 passengers.At your second stop,4 people get off the bus,and 12 people get on.At your third stop,8 people get off the bus,and 2 people get on.At your fourth stop,nobody gets off the bus,and 1 person gets on.How old is the bus driver? According to Davidson,if Mae just adds the numbers without focusing on the relevant part of this problem,he or she is showing a lack of

Accepted Answer

A) selective attention. 
B) selective encoding. 
C) selective comparison. 
D) selective combination. 
A) selective attention. 
B) selective encoding. 
C) selective comparison. 
D) selective combination.

Question 8

Barry is learning to play Texas Hold'Em,so he reads books and looks at printed odds tables available for every stage of play within the game.Barry is learning to play this poker game through

Accepted Answer

A) trial and error. 
B) rote. 
C) representativeness heuristics. 
D) an understanding of the general properties of the game. 
A) trial and error. 
B) rote. 
C) representativeness heuristics. 
D) an understanding of the general properties of the game.

Question 9

To develop expertise in a field requires us to develop a deeper general understanding of the field and to learn available _______ strategies.

Accepted Answer

A) heuristic solution 
B) algorithmic solution 
C) mnemonic solution 
D) random search 
A) heuristic solution 
B) algorithmic solution 
C) mnemonic solution 
D) random search

Question 10

A solution that correctly states the requirements for success in solving a problem,but not in sufficient detail for further action,is called a _______ solution.

Accepted Answer

A) heuristic 
B) general 
C) functional 
D) specific 
A) heuristic 
B) general 
C) functional 
D) specific

Question 11

In one of his studies,Karl Duncker asked students to mount a candle on a vertical board so the candle could burn normally.The students who saw the box in which the materials were presented as only a container rather than as a part of the solution were exhibiting

Accepted Answer

A) mental consolidation. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) retroactive interference. 
D) cognitive dissonance. 
A) mental consolidation. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) retroactive interference. 
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 12

A learned set of rules that always leads to a correct solution is known as

Accepted Answer

A) an algorithm. 
B) a heuristic. 
C) insight. 
D) the functional solution. 
A) an algorithm. 
B) a heuristic. 
C) insight. 
D) the functional solution.

Question 13

Regarding experts and novices,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) Experts are always in reflective processing mode when displaying their expert skills. 
B) At the highest skill levels,expert performers tend to rise above rules and plans with their decisions,thinking,and actions becoming rapid,fluid,and insightful. 
C) To develop expertise in a field requires one to learn available heuristic solution strategies as well as to develop a deeper general understanding of the field. 
D) Expertise involves learning thousands of patterns and practicing solving many problems over 10 years. 
A) Experts are always in reflective processing mode when displaying their expert skills. 
B) At the highest skill levels,expert performers tend to rise above rules and plans with their decisions,thinking,and actions becoming rapid,fluid,and insightful. 
C) To develop expertise in a field requires one to learn available heuristic solution strategies as well as to develop a deeper general understanding of the field. 
D) Expertise involves learning thousands of patterns and practicing solving many problems over 10 years.

Question 14

In his study of thinking,Duncker found that the first step in problem-solving based on understanding is to discover

Accepted Answer

A) a number of functional solutions. 
B) the set of rules that lead to the solution. 
C) the general properties of a correct solution. 
D) the implicit actions for solving the problem. 
A) a number of functional solutions. 
B) the set of rules that lead to the solution. 
C) the general properties of a correct solution. 
D) the implicit actions for solving the problem.

Question 15

In attempting to solve a problem,a subject fails to see that the old doorknob in the box could be used as a weight to hang on the balance scale.This subject is exhibiting

Accepted Answer

A) inductive thought. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) a failure of short-term memory. 
D) disjunctive thinking. 
A) inductive thought. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) a failure of short-term memory. 
D) disjunctive thinking.

Question 16

Selective encoding is the ability to compare new problems with old information or with problems already solved.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

A rigidity in problem solving caused by the inability to see new uses for familiar objects is termed

Accepted Answer

A) disjunctive thinking. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) proactive inhibition. 
D) retroactive interference. 
A) disjunctive thinking. 
B) functional fixedness. 
C) proactive inhibition. 
D) retroactive interference.

Question 18

Heuristics are problem-solving strategies which

Accepted Answer

A) use a trial and error approach. 
B) use random search strategies. 
C) guarantee success in solving a problem. 
D) reduce the number of alternatives. 
A) use a trial and error approach. 
B) use random search strategies. 
C) guarantee success in solving a problem. 
D) reduce the number of alternatives.

Question 19

Because psychology students tend to define "negative" as "bad," students often incorrectly define "negative reinforcement" as a punishment.This illustrates which barrier to problem­solving?

Accepted Answer

A) emotional 
B) cultural 
C) learned 
D) perceptual 
A) emotional 
B) cultural 
C) learned 
D) perceptual

Question 20

Expert chess players can automatically recognize 50,000 to 100,000 patterns,a level of skill that takes about 10 years build up.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 38: Cognition and Intelligence: Problem Solving

Which of the following represents an insightful problem solution?

When tested with Karl Duncker's candle problem,five-year-old children showed no signs of functional fixedness because,compared to adults,the children

A mental block to problem solving that is due to excessive self-criticism or involves an inablity to tolerate ambiguity is called

If you are asked to multiply a four-digit number and a three-digit number and you follow the steps you were taught in the fifth grade,then you are utilizing a heuristic.

Which of the following is fast,fairly effortless thinking that frees "space" in short­term memory and makes it easier to work on a problem?

Barry is learning to play Texas Hold'Em,so he reads books and looks at printed odds tables available for every stage of play within the game.Barry is learning to play this poker game through

To develop expertise in a field requires us to develop a deeper general understanding of the field and to learn available _______ strategies.

A solution that correctly states the requirements for success in solving a problem,but not in sufficient detail for further action,is called a _______ solution.

In one of his studies,Karl Duncker asked students to mount a candle on a vertical board so the candle could burn normally.The students who saw the box in which the materials were presented as only a container rather than as a part of the solution were exhibiting

A learned set of rules that always leads to a correct solution is known as

Regarding experts and novices,which of the following statements is FALSE?

In his study of thinking,Duncker found that the first step in problem-solving based on understanding is to discover

In attempting to solve a problem,a subject fails to see that the old doorknob in the box could be used as a weight to hang on the balance scale.This subject is exhibiting

Selective encoding is the ability to compare new problems with old information or with problems already solved.

A rigidity in problem solving caused by the inability to see new uses for familiar objects is termed

Heuristics are problem-solving strategies which

Because psychology students tend to define "negative" as "bad," students often incorrectly define "negative reinforcement" as a punishment.This illustrates which barrier to problem­solving?

Expert chess players can automatically recognize 50,000 to 100,000 patterns,a level of skill that takes about 10 years build up.

Introduction

How to Study Psychology

Introducing Psychology: Psychology, Critical Thinking, and Science

Introducing Psychology: Psychology Then and Now

Introducing Psychology: the Psychology Experiment

Introducing Psychology: Non-Experimental Research Methods

Psychology in Action: Thinking Critically About the Media

Brain and Behavior: Neurons and the Nervous System

Brain and Behavior: Brain Research

Brain and Behavior: Hemispheres and Lobes of the Cortex

Brain and Behavior: Sub-Cortex and Endocrine System

Psychology in Action: Handedness

Human Development: Heredity and Environment

Human Development: Emotional and Social Development in Childhood

Human Development: Language and Cognitive Development in Childhood

Human Development: Adolescence and Adulthood

Psychology in Action: Well-Being and Happiness

Sensation and Perception: Sensory Processes

Sensation and Perception: Vision

Sensation and Perception: The Other Senses

Sensation and Perception: Perceptual Processes

Sensation and Perception: Perception and Objectivity

Psychology in Action: Extrasensory Perception

Consciousness: States of Consciousness

Consciousness: Sleep and Dreams

Consciousness: Psychoactive Drugs

Psychology in Action: Exploring and Using Dreams

Conditioning and Learning: Types of Learning

Conditioning and Learning: Classical Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning: Operant Conditioning

Conditioning and Learning: Reinforcement and Punishment

Psychology in Action: Behavioral Self-Management

Memory: Memory Systems

Memory: Forgetting

Memory: Exceptional Memory and Improving Memory

Psychology in Action: Mnemonics

Cognition and Intelligence: Imagery, Concepts, and Language

Cognition and Intelligence: Creative Thinking and Intuition

Cognition and Intelligence: Intelligence

Psychology in Action: Enhancing Creativity

Motivation and Emotion: Overview of Motives and Emotions

Motivation and Emotion: Motivation in Detail

Motivation and Emotion: Emotion in Detail

Psychology in Action: Emotional Intelligence

Human Sexuality: Sexual Development and Orientation

Human Sexuality: Gender Development, Androgyny, and Gender Variance

Human Sexuality: Sexual Behavior, Response, and Attitudes

Psychology in Action: Sexual Problems

Personality: Overview of Personality

Personality: Trait Theories

Personality: Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Theories

Personality: Behavioral and Social Learning Theories

Psychology in Action: Understanding Shyness

Health, Stress, and Coping: Health Psychology

Health, Stress, and Coping: Stress, Frustration, and Conflict

Health, Stress, and Coping: Defenses, Helplessness, and Depression

Health, Stress, and Coping: Stress and Health

Psychology in Action: Stress Management

Psychological Disorders: Normality and Psychopathology

Psychological Disorders: Psychosis, Delusional Disorders, and Schizophrenia

Psychological Disorders: Mood Disorders

Which of the following is fast,fairly effortless thinking that frees "space" in shortterm memory and makes it easier to work on a problem?

Because psychology students tend to define "negative" as "bad," students often incorrectly define "negative reinforcement" as a punishment.This illustrates which barrier to problemsolving?