Question 1

How both Velcro and Post-it Notes came to be produced is an excellent example of which problem-solving model?

Accepted Answer

A)  Analytical problem solving 
B)  Creative problem solving 
C)  Synectic problem solving

Question 2

Brainstorming is only effective when it occurs in a face-to-face group setting.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Finding commonalities among two things is a good way to overcome a conceptual block in problem solving.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

If you have trouble determining the difference between important and unimportant data,you are experiencing which conceptual block?

Accepted Answer

A)  Artificial constraints 
B)  Ignoring commonalities 
C)  Separating figure from ground 
D)  Noninquisitiveness

Question 5

What stage of creative problem solving can training most improve?

Accepted Answer

A)  Preparation stage 
B)  Incubation stage 
C)  Illumination stage 
D)  Verification stage 
E)  All of the stages

Question 6

When evaluating alternatives,one should be concerned solely about meeting organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

During a brainstorming session,George remarks,"I think we are getting a little off track.Let's stay focused!" He has violated which rule?

Accepted Answer

A)  Evaluate the alternatives as they are being generated. 
B)  All different types of ideas should be encouraged. 
C)  Quality takes precedence over quantity. 
D)  He did not violate a rule.

Question 8

Your boss stares out the window with his feet up for at least an hour every day.Most people think he is not working.People that criticize him may be falling prey to the conceptual block of bias against thinking.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

This problem-solving style occurs less frequently but often separates career successes from career failures.What does this problem-solving style focus on?

Accepted Answer

A)  Analytical problem solving 
B)  Creative problem solving 
C)  Managerial problem solving 
D)  Strategic thinking

Question 10

If you were a manager wanting to assign people to a problem-solving team,who would you assign to maximize generation of innovative ideas? Bob,a salesman with 10 years' experience in the company
Jane,a secretary with 25 years' experience in the company
Jose,a salesman with 8 years' experience in the company,also a minority
John,a manager of sales teams with 14 years' experience in the company
Alex,a product developer with 1 year of experience in the company

Accepted Answer

A)  Jane, Jose, John, Alex 
B)  Bob, Jane, John, Alex 
C)  Bob, Jose, John, Alex 
D)  Bob, Jane, Jose, John 
E)  Bob, Jane, Jose, Alex

Question 11

You have a problem that is both complex and very ambiguous.In looking for a creative solution,what would be best for you to do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Think simply about generating alternatives. 
B)  Clearly define the problem. 
C)  Consider multiple approaches to creativity. 
D)  Assign one person to work alone and solve the problem.

Question 12

The following statements relate to the rules governing brainstorming: (1)No evaluations of alternatives are generated,(2)Wildest possible ideas are encouraged,(3)Quality takes precedence over quantity,and (4)Do not build on the ideas of others.Which statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  All the statements are correct. 
B)  Only statements 1 and 3 are correct. 
C)  Only statements 2 and 3 are correct. 
D)  Only statement 3 is correct. 
E)  Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Question 13

Your boss remarks,"The best way to foster innovation is to hold people accountable." What should you most likely remark?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I disagree; holding people accountable will reduce the risk factor and therefore innovation will not come about." 
B)  "I agree." 
C)  "I agree partly. You should only hold people accountable when their ideas fail completely."

Question 14

You are a manager who would like to enhance the creative problem-solving abilities of your employees.What should you do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increase their formal education 
B)  Improve their thinking skills 
C)  Improve their interpersonal skills 
D)  Improve their exposure to information

Question 15

One major difference between effective,creative problem solvers and other people is that creative problem solvers are less constrained in both defining the problem and developing solutions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

In describing a new problem you are having with your computer,your boss interrupts and states,"I had the same problem last week.It's something to do with the network." Which conceptual block could be inhibiting your boss's creative problem-solving approach?

Accepted Answer

A)  Vertical thinking 
B)  Artificial constraints 
C)  Stereotyping 
D)  Ignoring commonalities

Question 17

What is accomplished by implementing a solution incrementally?

Accepted Answer

A)  Decreases resistance by others to the solution 
B)  Increases the overall or total costs 
C)  Creates support with only a few people at a time 
D)  Helps give people a break during implementation

Question 18

According to research,which would creative problem solvers use?

Accepted Answer

A)  The left hemisphere of the brain 
B)  The right hemisphere of the brain 
C)  Both the left and right hemispheres of the brain 
D)  Linear thinking and behavior

Question 19

Making inappropriate assumptions that inhibit problem solutions is an example of the conceptual block of compression.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively

How both Velcro and Post-it Notes came to be produced is an excellent example of which problem-solving model?

Brainstorming is only effective when it occurs in a face-to-face group setting.

Finding commonalities among two things is a good way to overcome a conceptual block in problem solving.

If you have trouble determining the difference between important and unimportant data,you are experiencing which conceptual block?

What stage of creative problem solving can training most improve?

When evaluating alternatives,one should be concerned solely about meeting organizational goals.

During a brainstorming session,George remarks,"I think we are getting a little off track.Let's stay focused!" He has violated which rule?

Your boss stares out the window with his feet up for at least an hour every day.Most people think he is not working.People that criticize him may be falling prey to the conceptual block of bias against thinking.

This problem-solving style occurs less frequently but often separates career successes from career failures.What does this problem-solving style focus on?

You have a problem that is both complex and very ambiguous.In looking for a creative solution,what would be best for you to do?

The following statements relate to the rules governing brainstorming: (1) No evaluations of alternatives are generated,(2) Wildest possible ideas are encouraged,(3) Quality takes precedence over quantity,and (4) Do not build on the ideas of others.Which statements are correct?

Your boss remarks,"The best way to foster innovation is to hold people accountable." What should you most likely remark?

You are a manager who would like to enhance the creative problem-solving abilities of your employees.What should you do?

One major difference between effective,creative problem solvers and other people is that creative problem solvers are less constrained in both defining the problem and developing solutions.

In describing a new problem you are having with your computer,your boss interrupts and states,"I had the same problem last week.It's something to do with the network." Which conceptual block could be inhibiting your boss's creative problem-solving approach?

What is accomplished by implementing a solution incrementally?

According to research,which would creative problem solvers use?

Making inappropriate assumptions that inhibit problem solutions is an example of the conceptual block of compression.