Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an advantage gained by visualizing a problem via a mental image?

Accepted Answer

A)  The image depicts the problem in a concrete way, and this often makes the problem easier to remember. 
B)  The image often makes it easy to discern how the elements of the problem are related to one another. 
C)  One can easily make new discoveries about the imaged form, including discoveries that involve an entirely new understanding of the form. 
D)  It is usually easy to rearrange the elements of an image to explore other configurations. 
A)  The image depicts the problem in a concrete way, and this often makes the problem easier to remember. 
B)  The image often makes it easy to discern how the elements of the problem are related to one another. 
C)  One can easily make new discoveries about the imaged form, including discoveries that involve an entirely new understanding of the form. 
D)  It is usually easy to rearrange the elements of an image to explore other configurations.

Question 2

In many studies, participants fail to use analogies as an aid to problem-solving. Of the following, which is the MOST plausible explanation of this fact?

Accepted Answer

A)  Participants don't understand the value of analogies, so they don't bother searching for them. 
B)  Participants search their memories based on the surface structure of the problem. As a result, they fail to think of analogous cases that happen to be concerned with a different topic. 
C)  Participants pay too much attention to the deep structure of a problem, and so they fail to see the features that lead to analogy. 
D)  Participants seem unable to use analogies even when explicitly instructed to do so. 
A)  Participants don't understand the value of analogies, so they don't bother searching for them. 
B)  Participants search their memories based on the surface structure of the problem. As a result, they fail to think of analogous cases that happen to be concerned with a different topic. 
C)  Participants pay too much attention to the deep structure of a problem, and so they fail to see the features that lead to analogy. 
D)  Participants seem unable to use analogies even when explicitly instructed to do so.

Question 3

Which problem-solving heuristic is MOST likely to involve a question such as "What do I have available to get from my current state to my goal state?"

Accepted Answer

A)  working backwards 
B)  means-end analysis 
C)  hill-climbing 
D)  problem-solving set 
A)  working backwards 
B)  means-end analysis 
C)  hill-climbing 
D)  problem-solving set

Question 4

It was starting to rain, and Marcus didn't have an umbrella or a hat. To keep dry, he held his psychology textbook over his head. In this case, Marcus:

Accepted Answer

A)  is showing the influence of Einstellung 
B)  has solved the problem by using functional fixedness 
C)  has managed to overcome functional fixedness 
D)  is making the best possible use of his textbook 
A)  is showing the influence of Einstellung 
B)  has solved the problem by using functional fixedness 
C)  has managed to overcome functional fixedness 
D)  is making the best possible use of his textbook

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a benefit received from using a means-end analysis to solve a problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Means-end highlights the differences between the current state and the goal state. 
B)  It often leads a person to break a problem into subproblems. 
C)  It provides guidelines for what a person should do to solve the problem. 
D)  It encourages the person to move away from the goal initially, so as to get to the goal faster. 
A)  Means-end highlights the differences between the current state and the goal state. 
B)  It often leads a person to break a problem into subproblems. 
C)  It provides guidelines for what a person should do to solve the problem. 
D)  It encourages the person to move away from the goal initially, so as to get to the goal faster.

Question 6

Which of the following problems would be BEST suited for creation of a mental model?

Accepted Answer

A)  the book-worm problem 
B)  the nine-dot problem 
C)  the hobbits and the orcs 
D)  the jealous husband problem 
A)  the book-worm problem 
B)  the nine-dot problem 
C)  the hobbits and the orcs 
D)  the jealous husband problem

Question 7

Problem-solving protocols are:

Accepted Answer

A)  moment-by-moment records of what participants say when asked to think aloud while working on a problem 
B)  the output from computer models programmed to simulate human problem-solving 
C)  procedures designed by problem-solving experts 
D)  reports by the participant after the problem has been solved about which strategies seemed useful and those that seemed unproductive 
A)  moment-by-moment records of what participants say when asked to think aloud while working on a problem 
B)  the output from computer models programmed to simulate human problem-solving 
C)  procedures designed by problem-solving experts 
D)  reports by the participant after the problem has been solved about which strategies seemed useful and those that seemed unproductive

Question 8

Researchers have tried to study the moment of illumination in the laboratory. The evidence indicates that:

Accepted Answer

A)  this experience cannot be observed reliably in laboratory conditions 
B)  there is no systematic relationship between reports of illumination and actual progress in problem-solving 
C)  when participants report an illumination, they are at least as likely to be moving toward a dead end as they are to be moving toward the problem's solution 
D)  when participants report an illumination, they have in fact made a discovery that will allow them to solve the problem 
A)  this experience cannot be observed reliably in laboratory conditions 
B)  there is no systematic relationship between reports of illumination and actual progress in problem-solving 
C)  when participants report an illumination, they are at least as likely to be moving toward a dead end as they are to be moving toward the problem's solution 
D)  when participants report an illumination, they have in fact made a discovery that will allow them to solve the problem

Question 9

According to Wallas's theory of creativity the initial period in which a problem-solver gathers information is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  verification 
B)  incubation 
C)  preparation 
D)  initialization 
A)  verification 
B)  incubation 
C)  preparation 
D)  initialization

Question 10

One plan for solving a problem would be to consider every possible option, searching for the best solution. This broad plan is:

Accepted Answer

A)  usually the best way to proceed for complicated problems 
B)  more effective with ill-defined problems 
C)  usually ruled out by the sheer number of possible states within the problem space 
D)  often the only plan available 
A)  usually the best way to proceed for complicated problems 
B)  more effective with ill-defined problems 
C)  usually ruled out by the sheer number of possible states within the problem space 
D)  often the only plan available

Question 11

As Vanessa worked on the problem, she reported out loud, "No, that option doesn't seem to work. No, that doesn't work either." Then Vanessa abruptly shouted, "I think I've got it!" These reports seem to capture the phenomenon called:

Accepted Answer

A)  illumination 
B)  incubation 
C)  preparation 
D)  representation 
A)  illumination 
B)  incubation 
C)  preparation 
D)  representation

Question 12

In general, a training procedure will promote subsequent analogy use if the procedure:

Accepted Answer

A)  helps participants to remember the exact formulation of the training problems 
B)  makes the value of analogy use clear to participants 
C)  encourages participants to pay attention to the training problem's deep structure 
D)  teaches the participants general principles about how analogies function 
A)  helps participants to remember the exact formulation of the training problems 
B)  makes the value of analogy use clear to participants 
C)  encourages participants to pay attention to the training problem's deep structure 
D)  teaches the participants general principles about how analogies function

Question 13

A problem-solving set:

Accepted Answer

A)  is generally a deterrent to problem-solving, so one should seek to approach a problem without a set 
B)  is an obstacle for novice problem-solvers but not for experts 
C)  is crucial for well-defined problems but cannot help with ill-defined problems 
D)  often helps because the set leads us to ignore a number of options that obviously will not lead to the goal 
A)  is generally a deterrent to problem-solving, so one should seek to approach a problem without a set 
B)  is an obstacle for novice problem-solvers but not for experts 
C)  is crucial for well-defined problems but cannot help with ill-defined problems 
D)  often helps because the set leads us to ignore a number of options that obviously will not lead to the goal

Question 14

Bob works in marketing and wants to be creative at his work. Which of these is LEAST likely to be a prerequisite for his creativity?

Accepted Answer

A)  having knowledge about his domain in marketing 
B)  being strongly motivated by external rewards rather than taking pleasure in his work 
C)  being able to ignore criticism and tolerate ambiguous findings 
D)  being willing to take risks and not follow the crowd 
A)  having knowledge about his domain in marketing 
B)  being strongly motivated by external rewards rather than taking pleasure in his work 
C)  being able to ignore criticism and tolerate ambiguous findings 
D)  being willing to take risks and not follow the crowd

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true regarding mental images or pictures in problem-solving?

Accepted Answer

A)  Maintaining a mental image can be effortful and so may reduce the amount of resources available to solve a problem. 
B)  Mental images are more useful than pictures if a problem's solution involves movement within the image or picture. 
C)  Pictures are usually more helpful than mental images when searching for new discoveries or different interpretations. 
D)  Images are difficult to resize and so do not help if the problem's solution involves the rescaling of an image or picture. 
A)  Maintaining a mental image can be effortful and so may reduce the amount of resources available to solve a problem. 
B)  Mental images are more useful than pictures if a problem's solution involves movement within the image or picture. 
C)  Pictures are usually more helpful than mental images when searching for new discoveries or different interpretations. 
D)  Images are difficult to resize and so do not help if the problem's solution involves the rescaling of an image or picture.

Question 16

According to the text, current research indicates that creative problem-solving:

Accepted Answer

A)  draws on mental processes that are distinct from the processes relevant to more ordinary problem-solving 
B)  depends on divergent thinking 
C)  draws on heuristics and analogies in the same way as does ordinary problem-solving 
D)  requires unconscious work that goes on after one has consciously put the problem to the side 
A)  draws on mental processes that are distinct from the processes relevant to more ordinary problem-solving 
B)  depends on divergent thinking 
C)  draws on heuristics and analogies in the same way as does ordinary problem-solving 
D)  requires unconscious work that goes on after one has consciously put the problem to the side

Question 17

In some procedures, participants are helped by an interruption during their attempts at solving a problem. In explaining this effect, which of the following hypotheses seems LEAST plausible in light of the available evidence?

Accepted Answer

A)  The interruption provides an opportunity for participants to gather further information about the problem. 
B)  The interruption provides an opportunity for frustration or fatigue to dissipate. 
C)  The interruption allows participants to forget their earlier approaches to the problem, thus enabling a fresh start. 
D)  The interruption allows an opportunity for unconscious problem-solving to occur. 
A)  The interruption provides an opportunity for participants to gather further information about the problem. 
B)  The interruption provides an opportunity for frustration or fatigue to dissipate. 
C)  The interruption allows participants to forget their earlier approaches to the problem, thus enabling a fresh start. 
D)  The interruption allows an opportunity for unconscious problem-solving to occur.

Question 18

Expert problem-solvers:

Accepted Answer

A)  focus on the surface of a problem rather than on its deep structure 
B)  use analogies less often than do novices 
C)  tend to categorize problems in terms of their deep structure 
D)  do not need to rely on mapping in their use of analogies 
A)  focus on the surface of a problem rather than on its deep structure 
B)  use analogies less often than do novices 
C)  tend to categorize problems in terms of their deep structure 
D)  do not need to rely on mapping in their use of analogies

Question 19

People often compare experts to novices. Which of the following claims about this comparison is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experts tend to be more-skilled problem-solvers in general, so they have an advantage even with unfamiliar problems. 
B)  Experts have a much larger knowledge base, including a large set of exemplars on which they can draw. 
C)  Experts are more familiar with the higher-order patterns common in the area of expertise. 
D)  Expert knowledge is more heavily cross-referenced and is therefore more easily accessible. 
A)  Experts tend to be more-skilled problem-solvers in general, so they have an advantage even with unfamiliar problems. 
B)  Experts have a much larger knowledge base, including a large set of exemplars on which they can draw. 
C)  Experts are more familiar with the higher-order patterns common in the area of expertise. 
D)  Expert knowledge is more heavily cross-referenced and is therefore more easily accessible.

Question 20

Herbert solved the "tumor" problem by using an analogy with the "general and fortress" problem. In doing this, he realized that "tumor" corresponds to "fortress," "radiation" corresponds to "attacking army," and so on. The process of determining these correspondences is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  translating 
B)  analogizing 
C)  mapping 
D)  parsing 
A)  translating 
B)  analogizing 
C)  mapping 
D)  parsing

Which of the following is NOT an advantage gained by visualizing a problem via a mental image?

In many studies, participants fail to use analogies as an aid to problem-solving. Of the following, which is the MOST plausible explanation of this fact?

Which problem-solving heuristic is MOST likely to involve a question such as "What do I have available to get from my current state to my goal state?"

It was starting to rain, and Marcus didn't have an umbrella or a hat. To keep dry, he held his psychology textbook over his head. In this case, Marcus:

Which of the following is NOT a benefit received from using a means-end analysis to solve a problem?

Which of the following problems would be BEST suited for creation of a mental model?

Problem-solving protocols are:

Researchers have tried to study the moment of illumination in the laboratory. The evidence indicates that:

According to Wallas's theory of creativity the initial period in which a problem-solver gathers information is known as:

One plan for solving a problem would be to consider every possible option, searching for the best solution. This broad plan is:

As Vanessa worked on the problem, she reported out loud, "No, that option doesn't seem to work. No, that doesn't work either." Then Vanessa abruptly shouted, "I think I've got it!" These reports seem to capture the phenomenon called:

In general, a training procedure will promote subsequent analogy use if the procedure:

A problem-solving set:

Bob works in marketing and wants to be creative at his work. Which of these is LEAST likely to be a prerequisite for his creativity?

Which of the following is NOT true regarding mental images or pictures in problem-solving?

According to the text, current research indicates that creative problem-solving:

In some procedures, participants are helped by an interruption during their attempts at solving a problem. In explaining this effect, which of the following hypotheses seems LEAST plausible in light of the available evidence?

Expert problem-solvers:

People often compare experts to novices. Which of the following claims about this comparison is NOT true?

Herbert solved the "tumor" problem by using an analogy with the "general and fortress" problem. In doing this, he realized that "tumor" corresponds to "fortress," "radiation" corresponds to "attacking army," and so on. The process of determining these correspondences is called:

The Science of the Mind

The Neural Basis for Cognition

Recognizing Objects

Paying Attention

The Acquisition of Memories and the Working-Memory System

Interconnections Between Acquisition and Retrieval

Remembering Complex Events

Associative Theories of Long-Term Memory

Concepts and Generic Knowledge

Language

Visual Knowledge

Judgment: Drawing Conclusions From Evidence

Reasoning: Thinking Through the Implications of What You Know

Conscious Thought, Unconscious Thought

Filters

Exam 14: Solving Problems

Which of the following is NOT an advantage gained by visualizing a problem via a mental image?

In many studies, participants fail to use analogies as an aid to problem-solving. Of the following, which is the MOST plausible explanation of this fact?

Which problem-solving heuristic is MOST likely to involve a question such as "What do I have available to get from my current state to my goal state?"

It was starting to rain, and Marcus didn't have an umbrella or a hat. To keep dry, he held his psychology textbook over his head. In this case, Marcus:

Which of the following is NOT a benefit received from using a means-end analysis to solve a problem?

Which of the following problems would be BEST suited for creation of a mental model?

Problem-solving protocols are:

Researchers have tried to study the moment of illumination in the laboratory. The evidence indicates that:

According to Wallas's theory of creativity the initial period in which a problem-solver gathers information is known as:

One plan for solving a problem would be to consider every possible option, searching for the best solution. This broad plan is:

As Vanessa worked on the problem, she reported out loud, "No, that option doesn't seem to work. No, that doesn't work either." Then Vanessa abruptly shouted, "I think I've got it!" These reports seem to capture the phenomenon called:

In general, a training procedure will promote subsequent analogy use if the procedure:

A problem-solving set:

Bob works in marketing and wants to be creative at his work. Which of these is LEAST likely to be a prerequisite for his creativity?

Which of the following is NOT true regarding mental images or pictures in problem-solving?

According to the text, current research indicates that creative problem-solving:

In some procedures, participants are helped by an interruption during their attempts at solving a problem. In explaining this effect, which of the following hypotheses seems LEAST plausible in light of the available evidence?

Expert problem-solvers:

People often compare experts to novices. Which of the following claims about this comparison is NOT true?

Herbert solved the "tumor" problem by using an analogy with the "general and fortress" problem. In doing this, he realized that "tumor" corresponds to "fortress," "radiation" corresponds to "attacking army," and so on. The process of determining these correspondences is called:

The Science of the Mind

The Neural Basis for Cognition

Recognizing Objects

Paying Attention

The Acquisition of Memories and the Working-Memory System

Interconnections Between Acquisition and Retrieval

Remembering Complex Events

Associative Theories of Long-Term Memory

Concepts and Generic Knowledge

Language

Visual Knowledge

Judgment: Drawing Conclusions From Evidence

Reasoning: Thinking Through the Implications of What You Know

Conscious Thought, Unconscious Thought

Filters