Question 1

A "rule of thumb" that reduces the number of alternatives thinkers must consider is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) semantic differential. 
B) algorithm. 
C) heuristic. 
D) insight solution. 
A) semantic differential. 
B) algorithm. 
C) heuristic. 
D) insight solution.

Question 2

You are asked to multiply a three-digit number and a two-digit number.You follow the steps you were taught in fifth grade,and you correctly answer the problem.You utilized

Accepted Answer

A) a heuristic. 
B) an algorithm. 
C) insight. 
D) divergent thinking. 
A) a heuristic. 
B) an algorithm. 
C) insight. 
D) divergent thinking.

Question 3

Regarding automatic processing,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) Automatic processing involves fast,fairly effortless thinking based on experience with similar problems. 
B) Automatic processing frees up "space" in short­term memory,making it easier to work on the problem. 
C) When a pattern is recognized by the chess expert,the most desirable tactic comes to mind almost immediately,which illustrates how automatic processing works. 
D) Automatic processing allows numerous trial-and-error strategies to be simultaneously evaluated. 
A) Automatic processing involves fast,fairly effortless thinking based on experience with similar problems. 
B) Automatic processing frees up "space" in short­term memory,making it easier to work on the problem. 
C) When a pattern is recognized by the chess expert,the most desirable tactic comes to mind almost immediately,which illustrates how automatic processing works. 
D) Automatic processing allows numerous trial-and-error strategies to be simultaneously evaluated.

Question 4

Regarding fixation,which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A) Fixation is also known as conditional thinking. 
B) Fixation is a way of using insight to solve a problem. 
C) Fixation is a type of mnemonic device. 
D) Fixation is a barrier to problem solving. 
A) Fixation is also known as conditional thinking. 
B) Fixation is a way of using insight to solve a problem. 
C) Fixation is a type of mnemonic device. 
D) Fixation is a barrier to problem solving.

Question 5

Regarding effective problem-solving,which of the following is NOT a heuristic strategy?

Accepted Answer

A) Represent the problem in other ways,with a graph or an analogy. 
B) Generate a possible solution and test it. 
C) Use a learned set of rules,step by step. 
D) Try working backward from the desired goal to the starting point. 
A) Represent the problem in other ways,with a graph or an analogy. 
B) Generate a possible solution and test it. 
C) Use a learned set of rules,step by step. 
D) Try working backward from the desired goal to the starting point.

Question 6

An architect is afraid to try an unconventional design because she fears that other architects will think her design is impractical and unattractive.This architect's problem­solving is being blocked by which type of barrier?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Selective comparison is the

Accepted Answer

A) ability to evaluate new problems by associating them with old information or with problems already solved. 
B) ability to select information that is relevant to a problem while ignoring distractions. 
C) ability to bring together seemingly unrelated bits of useful information. 
D) tendency to get "hung up" on wrong solutions or to become blind to alternatives. 
A) ability to evaluate new problems by associating them with old information or with problems already solved. 
B) ability to select information that is relevant to a problem while ignoring distractions. 
C) ability to bring together seemingly unrelated bits of useful information. 
D) tendency to get "hung up" on wrong solutions or to become blind to alternatives.

Question 8

When problem solving,if you cannot reach a goal directly,try to identify an intermediate goal or subproblem that at least gets you closer.This advice illustrates the use of a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) algorithm. 
B) heuristic. 
C) mechanical solution. 
D) random search strategy. 
A) algorithm. 
B) heuristic. 
C) mechanical solution. 
D) random search strategy.

Question 9

Problem-solving strategies that reduce the number of steps necessary to solve a problem are called mechanical solutions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The problem­solving ability known as "selective comparison" involves comparing new problems with

Accepted Answer

A) old information or with problems already solved. 
B) novel possibilities for uses of objects used in problem-solving. 
C) mental images of projected solutions. 
D) seemingly unrelated bits of information. 
A) old information or with problems already solved. 
B) novel possibilities for uses of objects used in problem-solving. 
C) mental images of projected solutions. 
D) seemingly unrelated bits of information.

Question 11

According to Psychologist Janet Davidson,a person who is able to bring together seemingly unrelated bits of information to solve a problem is good at

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

"Try to identify how the current state of affairs differs from the desired goal,and then find steps that will reduce the difference." This advice describes a

Accepted Answer

A) syllogism. 
B) heuristic. 
C) prototype. 
D) dimension of the semantic differential. 
A) syllogism. 
B) heuristic. 
C) prototype. 
D) dimension of the semantic differential.

Question 13

Research has shown that expert skills are based on

Accepted Answer

A) learned heuristics and systematic information. 
B) rote memory and random search strategies. 
C) algorithms and insight. 
D) a general strengthening of the mind and exceptional memories. 
A) learned heuristics and systematic information. 
B) rote memory and random search strategies. 
C) algorithms and insight. 
D) a general strengthening of the mind and exceptional memories.

Question 14

Functional fixedness,or conventions about uses or meanings,fall under the category of which barriers to problem solving?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Developing expertise in an area allows for fast,fairly effortless thinking based on experience with similar problems. This type of thinking is known as

Accepted Answer

A) automatic processing. 
B) algorithmic problem-solving. 
C) mnemonic strategies. 
D) trial-and-error strategies. 
A) automatic processing. 
B) algorithmic problem-solving. 
C) mnemonic strategies. 
D) trial-and-error strategies.

Question 16

As you are driving to your friend's new apartment,you realize that you forgot the address of the apartment building.You know that the apartment is north of his old apartment.As you drive down the street where his old apartment is,you begin looking at the signs: Azalea Drive,Oak Circle,Peach Tree Street,and Sycamore Drive.You remember that the apartment is on a Drive,not a street or circle,which narrows down the possibilities and illustrates your use of a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) heuristic. 
B) algorithm. 
C) intuition. 
D) random search strategy. 
A) heuristic. 
B) algorithm. 
C) intuition. 
D) random search strategy.

Question 17

In his study of thinking,Duncker found that the first step in problem-solving that is based on understanding is to discover a set of rules that lead to the solution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

You tell your parents about the "funny stories" that your psychology teacher uses to explain various concepts and theories.Your parents respond that they are not sending you to college to hear "funny stories" and that the teacher should lecture on the subject like when they went to college.Which barrier to problem solving is illustrated by your parents' comment?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

The main difference between an expert and a novice chess player is that the expert explores more moves ahead of the novice player.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

You want exactly nine gallons of water,but you have only a seven-gallon bucket and a five-gallon bucket.Although you,at first,do not see how these two buckets can help,you realize that you can use them in the following way.You fill the seven-gallon bucket,then pour it in the five-gallon bucket,leaving two gallons in the seven-gallon bucket.You then pour out the five-gallon,pour the two gallons of water in the five-gallon,and refill the seven-gallon bucket,and you have a total of nine gallons of water.To solve this problem,you had to use

Accepted Answer

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

Exam 38: Cognition and Intelligence: Problem Solving

A "rule of thumb" that reduces the number of alternatives thinkers must consider is called a(n)

You are asked to multiply a three-digit number and a two-digit number.You follow the steps you were taught in fifth grade,and you correctly answer the problem.You utilized

Regarding automatic processing,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Regarding fixation,which of the following statements is TRUE?

Regarding effective problem-solving,which of the following is NOT a heuristic strategy?

An architect is afraid to try an unconventional design because she fears that other architects will think her design is impractical and unattractive.This architect's problem­solving is being blocked by which type of barrier?

Selective comparison is the

When problem solving,if you cannot reach a goal directly,try to identify an intermediate goal or subproblem that at least gets you closer.This advice illustrates the use of a(n)

Problem-solving strategies that reduce the number of steps necessary to solve a problem are called mechanical solutions.

The problem­solving ability known as "selective comparison" involves comparing new problems with

According to Psychologist Janet Davidson,a person who is able to bring together seemingly unrelated bits of information to solve a problem is good at

"Try to identify how the current state of affairs differs from the desired goal,and then find steps that will reduce the difference." This advice describes a

Research has shown that expert skills are based on

Functional fixedness,or conventions about uses or meanings,fall under the category of which barriers to problem solving?

Developing expertise in an area allows for fast,fairly effortless thinking based on experience with similar problems. This type of thinking is known as

In his study of thinking,Duncker found that the first step in problem-solving that is based on understanding is to discover a set of rules that lead to the solution.

The main difference between an expert and a novice chess player is that the expert explores more moves ahead of the novice player.

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

Psychological Disorders: Anxiety-Based Disorders and Personality Disorders

An architect is afraid to try an unconventional design because she fears that other architects will think her design is impractical and unattractive.This architect's problemsolving is being blocked by which type of barrier?

The problemsolving ability known as "selective comparison" involves comparing new problems with