Deck 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

Question 1

Suddenly understanding the double meaning of a joke best illustrates

A) belief perseverance.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) the framing effect.
D) insight.

Answer 1

insight.

Question 2

Once we have categorized an object, our memory of the object increasingly resembles the category

A) algorithm.
B) prototype.
C) heuristic.
D) phoneme.

Answer 2

prototype.

Question 3

When someone mentions hamburgers, Trisha immediately thinks of McDonald's. In this instance, McDonald's is a

A) mental set.
B) heuristic.
C) prototype.
D) fixation.

Answer 3

prototype.

Question 4

Anika resisted changing her answer to a test question after reminding herself that "it's always best to stick with your first answer." Anika's decision best illustrates the use of

A) insight.
B) an algorithm.
C) trial and error.
D) a heuristic.

Question 5

Christmas is to holiday as ________ is to ________.

A) category; prototype
B) heuristic; algorithm
C) algorithm; heuristic
D) prototype; category

Question 6

In trying to solve a potentially complicated problem quickly, we are most likely to rely on

A) prototypes.
B) heuristics.
C) phonemes.
D) algorithms.

Question 7

Most people take less time to identify a cow as a mammal than a mouse as a mammal because a cow more closely resembles their mammal

A) prototype.
B) syntax.
C) heuristic.
D) algorithm.

Question 8

People more easily detect male discrimination against women than female discrimination against men because the former more closely resembles their discrimination

A) heuristic.
B) algorithm.
C) prototype.
D) fixation.

Question 9

When we use the term Hispanic to refer to a category of people, we are using this word as a(n)

A) concept.
B) heuristic.
C) algorithm.
D) prototype.

Question 10

In testing thousands of different materials for use as light bulb filaments, Thomas Edison best illustrated a problem-solving approach known as

A) the availability heuristic.
B) trial and error.
C) belief perseverance.
D) framing.

Question 11

Cognitive psychologists are most directly concerned with the study of

A) emotion.
B) genetics.
C) brain chemistry.
D) thinking.

Question 12

The tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions is called

A) the availability heuristic.
B) confirmation bias.
C) framing.
D) overconfidence.

Question 13

Jamilla systematically tried each successive key on her dad's key ring until she found the one that unlocked his office door. This best illustrates problem solving by means of

A) belief perseverance.
B) an algorithm.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) framing.

Question 14

Heuristics are

A) methodical step-by-step procedures for solving problems.
B) mental groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, and people.
C) problem-solving strategies involving the use of trial and error.
D) simple thinking strategies for solving problems quickly and efficiently.

Question 15

A sudden realization of the solution to a problem is called

A) framing.
B) insight.
C) a heuristic.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 16

A concept is a

A) mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, and people.
B) a method of hypothesis testing involving trial and error.
C) a best example of a particular category.
D) a simple thinking strategy for solving problems efficiently.

Question 17

Jahmal cites his cousin Luana's many car accidents as evidence that women are worse drivers than men. He overlooks the fact that his wife and three daughters have had far fewer car accidents than he and his two sons. Jahmal's prejudicial conclusion about women's driving skills best illustrates the effects of

A) algorithms.
B) confirmation bias.
C) framing.
D) an outcome simulation.

Question 18

Professor Thompson's research focuses on the impact of prototypes on the speed of object recognition and identification. Which specialty area does this research best represent?

A) personality psychology
B) cognitive psychology
C) biological psychology
D) developmental psychology

Question 19

A best example of a category of objects, events, ideas, and people is called a(n)

A) algorithm.
B) concept.
C) prototype.
D) heuristic.

Question 20

Logical, methodical step-by-step procedures for solving problems are called

A) heuristics.
B) semantics.
C) prototypes.
D) algorithms.

Question 21

After learning that her two best friends had lost their jobs, Mariah began to grossly overestimate the national unemployment rate. Mariah's reaction best illustrates the consequences of

A) confirmation bias.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) fixation.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 22

Students were asked to figure out the rule used to devise the three-number sequence 2-4-6. After generating sets of three numbers to learn whether their sets met the rule, they typically convinced themselves of the wrong rule. Their errors best illustrate the impact of

A) linguistic determinism.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) framing.
D) confirmation bias.

Question 23

Emotion-laden images of unusual but vivid cases of abducted children may lead many parents to experience exaggerated fears of letting their children walk to school. The exaggerated fears best illustrate the impact of

A) a fixation.
B) critical periods.
C) framing.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 24

Myra has such low self-esteem that she is often on the lookout for critical comments about her appearance and personality. Myra's behavior best illustrates the dangers of

A) confirmation bias.
B) the framing effect.
C) trial and error.
D) algorithms.

Question 25

State lottery officials send residents a facsimile of a contest-winning check for over $5 million to encourage them to imagine themselves as possible winners. The lottery promoters are most clearly exploiting the influence of

A) confirmation bias.
B) belief perseverance.
C) an algorithm.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 26

Many people underestimate the number of nonfatal heart attacks because they are not as memorable as heart attacks resulting in death. This illustrates the shortcoming of relying on

A) an algorithm.
B) trial and error.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) a process simulation.

Question 27

A fixation refers to an inability to

A) sort items into categories.
B) estimate the likelihood of events.
C) view a problem from a fresh perspective.
D) search for evidence that supports our ideas.

Question 28

A mental set is a

A) methodical step-by-step procedure for solving problems.
B) mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, and people.
C) tendency to approach a problem in a way that has been successful in the past.
D) group of conclusions derived from certain assumptions or general principles.

Question 29

Kevin succeeds in getting his children to do chores by using threats. He fails to recognize that kindness would be even more effective in gaining their cooperation. Kevin's shortsightedness best illustrates a consequence of

A) aphasia.
B) critical periods.
C) an algorithm.
D) a mental set.

Question 30

Steve was sure he answered at least 70 questions correctly on his biology test. In fact, he was right on only 55 items. Steve's misjudgment of his test performance illustrates

A) the framing effect.
B) confirmation bias.
C) belief perseverance.
D) overconfidence.

Question 31

Brainstorming sessions that encourage people to spontaneously suggest new and unusual solutions to a problem are designed to avoid

A) heuristics.
B) prototypes.
C) semantics.
D) fixations.

Question 32

The availability heuristic refers to our tendency to

A) overestimate the accuracy of our judgments.
B) estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily we remember instances of its occurrence.
C) search for information that is consistent with our preconceptions.
D) cling to our initial conceptions, even though they have been discredited.

Question 33

After taking two years of economics courses, Lionel thinks he knows enough about business to become a millionaire. Lionel should become more aware of

A) the availability heuristic.
B) the bilingual advantage.
C) belief perseverance.
D) overconfidence.

Question 34

Many people perceive carjackings as more serious threats to their lives than failing to use seat belts because carjackings are so much more memorable. This best illustrates the importance of

A) belief perseverance.
B) a universal grammar.
C) confirmation bias.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 35

Many people overestimate how long they actually remain awake during restless nights because their moments of wakefulness are easier to recall than their moments of sleep. This best illustrates the impact of

A) framing.
B) confirmation bias.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) a critical period.

Question 36

People who demonstrate overconfidence are especially likely to

A) use algorithms to solve problems.
B) appear less credible to others.
C) avoid confirmation bias.
D) make difficult decisions more easily.

Question 37

Failing to recognize our potential for error is best demonstrated by

A) linguistic determinism.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) overconfidence.
D) framing.

Question 38

Our intuitions are feelings and thoughts that are best described as

A) automatic.
B) explicit.
C) conscious.
D) systematic.

Question 39

In suggesting that our ancestral history has prepared us to fear snakes, psychologists are emphasizing that what we fear is influenced by

A) genetic factors.
B) belief perseverance.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) framing.

Question 40

Students routinely underestimate how much time it will take them to complete assignments. This best illustrates the impact of

A) the framing effect.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) an algorithm.
D) overconfidence.

Question 41

People are often positively impressed by research that supports their own point of view. Asking them whether they would have been equally impressed by the same research if it had provided results that disputed their point of view is likely to inhibit

A) linguistic determinism.
B) concept formation.
C) belief perseverance.
D) insight.

Question 42

An effort to "consider the opposite" would be most likely to inhibit

A) the availability heuristic.
B) belief perseverance.
C) receptive language.
D) insight.

Question 43

People who make outstanding creative contributions to the arts or sciences are most likely to

A) be unusually sensitive to criticism of their ideas.
B) receive above-average scores on tests of divergent thinking.
C) show signs of savant syndrome.
D) be strongly motivated to attain fame and fortune.

Question 44

Ojinska sold many more raffle tickets when she told people they had a 10 percent chance of winning a prize than when she told them they had a 90 percent chance of not winning. This best illustrates the importance of

A) the availability heuristic.
B) the belief perseverance.
C) confirmation bias.
D) framing.

Question 45

Sophie has an unrealistically negative self-image, which no one seems able to change. This best illustrates the importance of

A) aphasia.
B) belief perseverance.
C) framing.
D) overconfidence.

Question 46

Despite overwhelming and highly publicized evidence that Senator McEwan was guilty of serious political corruption and misconduct, many who had supported her in past elections remained convinced of her political integrity. Their reaction best illustrates

A) the framing effect.
B) telegraphic speech.
C) belief perseverance.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 47

Without awareness, we often use highly adaptive heuristics. This best illustrates the value of

A) intuition.
B) aphasia.
C) fixation.
D) critical periods.

Question 48

U.S. employees who formerly wanted to defer part of their compensation to a 401(k) retirement plan typically had to lower their take-home pay as they "opted in" to the plan. Now companies are being encouraged to enroll their employees in the 401(k) plan automatically while allowing them to choose to raise their take-home pay by "opting-out" of the 401(k) plan. Under the "opting out" rather than "opt-in" system, enrollments in 401(k) plans soared. This best illustrates the impact of

A) overconfidence.
B) a process simulation.
C) framing.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 49

After gathering extensive information about the colleges she was interested in attending, Krista let the information "incubate" outside her conscious awareness for several days. This provided time for her decision to be potentially enhanced by

A) a critical period.
B) confirmation bias.
C) an algorithm.
D) intuition.

Question 50

Creativity is the ability to

A) experience insight.
B) develop prototypes.
C) solve problems quickly.
D) produce novel and valuable ideas.

Question 51

Divergent thinking involves

A) expanding the number of possible solutions to a problem.
B) estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.
C) a methodical procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem.
D) overestimating the accuracy of one's beliefs.

Question 52

Encouraging people to elaborate on why their own personal views on an issue are correct is most likely to promote

A) the bilingual advantage.
B) telegraphic speech.
C) linguistic determinism.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 53

Narrowing available problem solutions to the single best solution illustrates

A) fluid intelligence.
B) factor analysis.
C) standardization.
D) convergent thinking.

Question 54

Experimental participants reviewed two research studies, one supporting and the other refuting the crime-deterring effectiveness of capital punishment. Afterward, the opinions of those who initially favored the use of capital punishment became ________ favorable toward its use. The opinions of those who initially opposed the use of capital punishment became ________ favorable toward its use.

A) more; more
B) less; more
C) less; less
D) more; less

Question 55

A person who can effectively identify the best possible answers to multiple-choice test questions best illustrates

A) fluid intelligence.
B) convergent thinking.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) emotional intelligence.

Question 56

Belief perseverance refers to

A) a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions.
B) approaching a problem in a particular way that has been successful in the past.
C) a methodical procedure that guarantees the eventual solution of a problem.
D) clinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.

Question 57

People are less upset when they miss getting an early payment discount than when they are asked to bear a late payment surcharge. This best illustrates the importance of

A) belief perseverance.
B) confirmation bias.
C) framing.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 58

Experienced chicken sexers can tell you a chick's sex at a glance, yet cannot tell you how they do it. Their acquired expertise is such an automatic habit that it feels like

A) an algorithm.
B) aphasia.
C) intuition.
D) telegraphic speech.

Question 59

Framing refers to

A) a methodical step-by-step procedure for solving problems.
B) the way in which a problem or issue is phrased or worded.
C) the grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, and people into a category.
D) a simple thinking strategy for solving problems efficiently.

Question 60

People told that a chemical in the air is projected to kill 10 out of every 10,000 people feel more frightened than if told the fatality risk is one-tenth of 1 percent. This best illustrates the importance of

A) a fixation.
B) overconfidence.
C) confirmation bias.
D) framing.

Question 61

Psychologist Wolfgang Köhler placed a piece of fruit and a long stick outside chimpanzee Sultan's cage. Inside the cage he placed a short stick. Prior to gaining insight into the solution of the problem Sultan used

A) the short stick to try reaching the fruit.
B) the fruit to try retrieving the long stick.
C) the long stick to try retrieving the fruit.
D) the short stick to try retrieving the long stick.

Question 62

Alex was an African Grey parrot who could

A) indicate which of two numbers was greater.
B) use a flexible stick for fishing termites.
C) demonstrate self-awareness by recognizing himself in a mirror.
D) understand the syntax of language as well as most 3-year-old children.

Question 63

Spoken, written, or signed words and the ways they are combined to communicate meaning constitute

A) algorithms.
B) syntax.
C) heuristics.
D) language.

Question 64

When her teacher mentioned the arms race, Krista understood that the word "arms" referred to weapons and not to body parts. Krista's correct interpretation best illustrates the importance of

A) semantics.
B) syntax.
C) morphemes.
D) prototypes.

Question 65

A system of rules for deriving meaning from sounds and for ordering words into sentences is called

A) grammar.
B) an algorithm.
C) receptive language.
D) linguistic determinism.

Question 66

The smallest speech units that carry meaning are called

A) phonemes.
B) morphemes.
C) prototypes.
D) concepts.

Question 67

In the words "lightly," "neatly," and "shortly," the "ly" ending is a(n)

A) algorithm.
B) phoneme.
C) morpheme.
D) prototype.

Question 68

Whenever Arlo reminded himself that his musical skills could earn him fame and fortune, he became less creative in his musical performance. This best illustrates that creativity may be inhibited by

A) emotional intelligence.
B) a venturesome personality.
C) the g factor.
D) extrinsic motivation.

Question 69

Students who have spent time living abroad and experiencing other cultures are more adept at

A) creative problem solving.
B) nonverbal memory.
C) convergent thinking.
D) factor analysis.

Question 70

Syntax refers to the

A) correct arrangement of words into grammatically sensible sentences.
B) derivation of meaning from sounds.
C) smallest speech unit that carries meaning.
D) most logical and methodical procedure for solving a problem.

Question 71

The English language has ________ letters than phonemes, and the consonant phonemes generally carry ________ information than the vowel phonemes.

A) more; more
B) fewer; more
C) more; less
D) fewer; less

Question 72

Word meaning is to word order as ________ is to ________.

A) concept; prototype
B) phoneme; grammar
C) morpheme; phoneme
D) semantics; syntax

Question 73

When Fred pronounced the words "this" and "that," he noticed that they share a common

A) prototype.
B) morpheme.
C) algorithm.
D) phoneme.

Question 74

The ability to comprehend the meaning of speech is called

A) the availability heuristic.
B) productive language.
C) receptive language.
D) intuition.

Question 75

The beginning of babies' receptive language development is best illustrated by their capacity to

A) recognize the distinctive sound of their own voice.
B) match another person's distinctive mouth movements with the appropriate sounds.
C) babble only sounds that are part of the household language.
D) comprehend the meaning of languages they have never experienced.

Question 76

The factors associated with creativity include

A) impulsivity and empathy.
B) expertise and a venturesome personality.
C) a competitive drive and need for control.
D) reliability and validity.

Question 77

The spontaneous utterance of a variety of sounds by infants is called

A) universal grammar.
B) babbling.
C) telegraphic speech.
D) syntax.

Question 78

A European visitor to the United States asked a taxi driver, "Can you please a ride to the airport me give?" This visitor has apparently not yet mastered the ________ of the English language.

A) phonemes
B) syntax
C) semantics
D) morphemes

Question 79

One group of Australian dolphins learned to use marine sponges as protective noseguards when probing the sea floor for fish. This best illustrates their capacity to

A) demonstrate empathy.
B) use tools.
C) generate algorithms.
D) engage in outcome simulations.

Question 80

Phonemes are

A) the best examples of particular categories of objects.
B) the smallest distinctive sound units of a language.
C) rules for combining words into grammatically correct sentences.
D) the smallest speech units that carry meaning.