Question 1

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 C

Question 2

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 3

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. A

Question 4

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 5

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 6

Evelyn notices that a screw on her bicycle is loose,and she doesn't have a screwdriver with her.So she searches through her pocket and finds a dime,which is the appropriate thickness to tighten the screw.Evelyn has demonstrated

Accepted Answer

A) overcoming a mental set. 
B) overcoming functional fixedness. 
C) overcoming a heuristic. 
D) a fixed mindset. 
A) overcoming a mental set. 
B) overcoming functional fixedness. 
C) overcoming a heuristic. 
D) a fixed mindset.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

Suppose your friend Ellen has lost the back to her earring.She looks around her room,picks up a pencil,removes the eraser,and uses the eraser as a substitute for the missing part.According to the chapter on problem solving,Ellen

Accepted Answer

A) has solved an ill-defined problem. 
B) is too heavily guided by mental set. 
C) has focused on the initial state. 
D) has overcome functional fixedness. 
A) has solved an ill-defined problem. 
B) is too heavily guided by mental set. 
C) has focused on the initial state. 
D) has overcome functional fixedness.

Question 10

What is the difference between functional fixedness and mental set?

Accepted Answer

A) A mental set is more rigid than functional fixedness. 
B) Functional fixedness emphasizes the objects involved in solving the problem,whereas mental set emphasizes the problem solver's strategies. 
C) Functional fixedness applies to problem finding,whereas mental set applies to problem solving. 
D) There is no substantial difference; the two terms are identical. 
A) A mental set is more rigid than functional fixedness. 
B) Functional fixedness emphasizes the objects involved in solving the problem,whereas mental set emphasizes the problem solver's strategies. 
C) Functional fixedness applies to problem finding,whereas mental set applies to problem solving. 
D) There is no substantial difference; the two terms are identical.

Question 11

Research on means-ends analysis 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 12

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Accepted Answer

A) the most useful problem-solving strategy is called the trial-and-error method. 
B) people are likely to take a more passive approach when solving problems than when working on most other cognitive tasks. 
C) people typically solve a problem by visualizing the goal state and ignoring the initial state. 
D) people typically use problem-solving strategies that can produce a solution fairly quickly. 
A) the most useful problem-solving strategy is called the trial-and-error method. 
B) people are likely to take a more passive approach when solving problems than when working on most other cognitive tasks. 
C) people typically solve a problem by visualizing the goal state and ignoring the initial state. 
D) people typically use problem-solving strategies that can produce a solution fairly quickly.

Question 13

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 14

Imagine that you are conducting a summer workshop to enhance the creativity of high school students.Which of the following ideas should you use,based on your understanding of Chapter 11?

Accepted Answer

A) Watch the students carefully,so that they know you are monitoring their progress. 
B) Offer a prize for the most creative project. 
C) List on the blackboard the name of the most creative student of the week; however,make certain that no material rewards are given. 
D) Do not place firm restrictions on the ways in which the students can express their creativity. 
A) Watch the students carefully,so that they know you are monitoring their progress. 
B) Offer a prize for the most creative project. 
C) List on the blackboard the name of the most creative student of the week; however,make certain that no material rewards are given. 
D) Do not place firm restrictions on the ways in which the students can express their creativity.

Question 15

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 16

Anita wants a high-paying career after college.After graduation,she must choose between a job with a moderate salary but a good chance for advancement,and a job with a much higher salary but less chance for long-term advancement.If Anita chooses the higher salary now,she is probably using the heuristic known as

Accepted Answer

A) mean-end analysis. 
B) working backwords. 
C) hill-climbing. 
D) computer simulation. 
A) mean-end analysis. 
B) working backwords. 
C) hill-climbing. 
D) computer simulation.

Question 17

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 18

One way that functional fixedness and mental set are similar to each other is that

Accepted Answer

A) Both emphasize our reliance on bottom-up processing. 
B) Both show that we rely too heavily on a strategy that is typically useful. 
C) Both show that we tend to emphasize the positive,rather than the negative. 
D) Both emphasize our inability to use situated learning effectively. 
A) Both emphasize our reliance on bottom-up processing. 
B) Both show that we rely too heavily on a strategy that is typically useful. 
C) Both show that we tend to emphasize the positive,rather than the negative. 
D) Both emphasize our inability to use situated learning effectively.

Question 19

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 20

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.

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

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

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

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

Evelyn notices that a screw on her bicycle is loose,and she doesn't have a screwdriver with her.So she searches through her pocket and finds a dime,which is the appropriate thickness to tighten the screw.Evelyn has demonstrated

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?

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Suppose your friend Ellen has lost the back to her earring.She looks around her room,picks up a pencil,removes the eraser,and uses the eraser as a substitute for the missing part.According to the chapter on problem solving,Ellen

What is the difference between functional fixedness and mental set?

Research on means-ends analysis in problem solving has shown that

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

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,

Imagine that you are conducting a summer workshop to enhance the creativity of high school students.Which of the following ideas should you use,based on your understanding of Chapter 11?

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

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

One way that functional fixedness and mental set are similar to each other is that

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

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

An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Perceptual Processes I: Visual and Auditory Recognition

Perceptual Processes II: 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

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

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

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

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

Evelyn notices that a screw on her bicycle is loose,and she doesn't have a screwdriver with her.So she searches through her pocket and finds a dime,which is the appropriate thickness to tighten the screw.Evelyn has demonstrated

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?

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

Suppose your friend Ellen has lost the back to her earring.She looks around her room,picks up a pencil,removes the eraser,and uses the eraser as a substitute for the missing part.According to the chapter on problem solving,Ellen

What is the difference between functional fixedness and mental set?

Research on means-ends analysis in problem solving has shown that

According to the introduction to the chapter on problem solving,

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,

Imagine that you are conducting a summer workshop to enhance the creativity of high school students.Which of the following ideas should you use,based on your understanding of Chapter 11?

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

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

One way that functional fixedness and mental set are similar to each other is that

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

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

An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Perceptual Processes I: Visual and Auditory Recognition

Perceptual Processes II: 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