Deck 8: Cognition, Language, and Intelligence

Question 1

Concepts we store in our long-term memories tend to be organized around the ____ of the information they represent.

A) emotional expression
B) auditory images
C) tactile images
D) meaning

Answer 1

meaning

Question 2

Which forms of mental representations have psychologists studied with the most success?

A) Emotions and procedures
B) Procedures and visual images
C) Emotions and concepts
D) Visual images and concepts

Answer 2

Visual images and concepts

Question 3

If you focused on a concept of something in your mind, your mental representation would most likely center on ____.

A) the specific example of the concept that you have been exposed to the most
B) a generalized image of what the thing does or looks like
C) the specific example of the concept that you desire the most
D) a different concept that could be used as a comparison for the concept in question

Answer 3

a generalized image of what the thing does or looks like

Question 4

Herb is reading about colleges and trying to decide which one is best for him. In psychological terms, Herb is ____.

A) memorizing
B) rehearsing
C) thinking
D) dreaming

Question 5

A mental representation represents objects that are ____.

A) not easily categorized
B) novel or unfamiliar
C) of importance to the individual
D) not present at the time

Question 6

Thinking is defined in the textbook as the ____.

A) use of knowledge to accomplish some sort of goal
B) unconscious processing of mental symbols
C) process involved in solving problems
D) discovery of the relationships between concepts and theories

Question 7

Image-scanning studies suggest that visual images in our minds are ____.

A) primarily language-based
B) without definite shape or size
C) mental copies of the real stimulus
D) digital, rather than analog

Question 8

Concepts are stored in long-term memory as____.

A) phenotypes and phonemes
B) as mental sets
C) morphemes
D) semantic and perceptual forms

Question 9

Knowledge is defined in the textbook as ____.

A) things that we know
B) facts and data that we learn in school
C) information that we store in long-term memory
D) the ability to solve problems and make decisions

Question 10

The concepts we use to aid in our mental representation of our world are ____.

A) inborn in our natural understanding of the world
B) based on visual images of the information they represent
C) organized into hierarchical categories
D) randomly consolidated from our everyday experiences

Question 11

When hanging out with a friend, Gayle mentions that she witnessed an accident recently. Immediately, you begin to develop a mental image of the cars that were involved in the accident. Your mental representation would most likely center on ____.

A) the specific car in your experience that you have driven the most
B) a generalized image of what cars look like
C) the specific car that you would most want to own
D) the broad category of all transportation vehicles

Question 12

When you are trying to retrieve knowledge from your memory to accomplish some goal, you are ____.

A) thinking
B) reasoning
C) representing
D) imagining

Question 13

Timmy's geography teacher gives the class a pop quiz in which he asks the class to draw a map of North America, which they learned about in the previous day's lesson. Knowing what you do about mental representations, how well do you think Timmy would do on this quiz?

A) He will draw a perfect map of North America.
B) He will get some of the details correct, but his map will contain many errors.
C) His map will be so far off that it will not even resemble North America.
D) The U.S. portion of the map will be very accurate, but Canada and Mexico will be distorted.

Question 14

The information you have stored about psychology in your long-term memory represents your____ base.

A) knowledge
B) representation
C) thinking
D) cognition

Question 15

Concepts are most accurately characterized as ____.

A) problem-solving methods
B) mental categories
C) mental shortcuts
D) cognitive norms

Question 16

Psychologists conduct image scanning studies in order to better understand ____.

A) creativity and problem solving
B) insight
C) knowledge
D) mental representations

Question 17

Research studies using image-scanning show that ____.

A) images of visual stimuli are stored in two dimensions rather than three
B) visual images in our minds have many of the spatial properties of the real stimulus
C) we lack the ability to store in memory exact replicas of the actual visual images in our minds
D) we scan visual images that are actually more distant faster in our minds

Question 18

According to cognitive researchers, when you see your friend's new car and then later recall what the car looked like, the stored image you are recalling is ____.

A) an exact copy of the sensory image that was sent to your visual cortex from your retina
B) a mixture of pictorial and verbal pieces that are based on your actual sensory experience and your general knowledge of cars
C) a language-based description of the car without any visual components
D) a digitized visual image consisting of thousands of pixels

Question 19

Mental representations of the world around us seem to consist primarily of both ____.

A) visual images and verbal knowledge
B) abstract concepts, sensory impressions, and images
C) tactile images and emotional responses
D) digital and analog images

Question 20

In a study conducted by Stephen Kosslyn, subjects memorized a map and then were asked to mentally scan the path of an imaginary dot as it traveled from one point to another point on the map. The results showed that ____.

A) when the distance traveled by the dot was farther, the time it took to scan the distance was longer
B) shorter distances were scanned easily, but longer distances could not be scanned
C) regardless of the distance traveled by the dot, the scanning time was approximately five seconds
D) regardless of the distance traveled by the dot, the scanning time was instantaneous

Question 21

Natural concepts ____.

A) have fuzzy boundaries
B) are usually learned formally
C) usually use rigid rules to define their elements
D) are typically universally held by all people

Question 22

When you learn the specific criteria or rigid rules that define the category rocket, you are learning a ____.

A) normal concept
B) structured concept
C) validated concept
D) formal concept

Question 23

Exemplars are to ____ as prototypes are to ____.

A) elements that stand out; subtle elements
B) actual examples; typical members
C) similarities; differences
D) natural concepts; formal concepts

Question 24

Which would NOT qualify as an exemplar for the category fruit?

A) Kiwi
B) Apricot
C) Corn
D) Apple

Question 25

If you assume that a student is preppy because he wears pastel colored sweaters and boat shoes, you are using a(n) ____ as the basis for your assumption.

A) sample
B) algorithm
C) phoneme
D) prototype

Question 26

With regard to how we acquire the concepts that help to organize our thinking, formal concepts are more likely ____, whereas natural concepts are more likely____.

A) taught; experienced
B) experienced; taught
C) subordinate; superordinate
D) superordinate; subordinate

Question 27

Which item belongs in the subordinate category?

A) Dog
B) Spaniel
C) Animal
D) Mammal

Question 28

Which item is the best example of a prototype for the category fruit?

A) Kiwi
B) Tomato
C) Apple
D) Apricot

Question 29

In contrast to prototypes, exemplars are ____.

A) abstract
B) not accurate
C) real
D) complex

Question 30

Cooking without using strict measurements, but relying upon past experience and cooking wisdom to determine the correct proportions of ingredients, is an example of using a(n) ____.

A) prototype
B) heuristic
C) underextension
D) algorithm

Question 31

If a problem has a clear pathway to a solution, then it is considered a(n) ____.

A) ill-structured problem
B) well-structured problem
C) prototypical problem
D) algorithmic problem

Question 32

Which level of knowledge contains the most specific concepts?

A) Superordinate category
B) Mid-level category
C) Subordinate category
D) Basic level category

Question 33

Regarding the categories we use to organize our knowledge, superordinate categories are ____ and subordinate categories are ____.

A) formal; natural
B) specific; general
C) natural; formal
D) general; specific

Question 34

Which item is the best example of a basic level category?

A) Dog
B) Spaniel
C) Animal
D) Mammal

Question 35

Algorithms can be thought of as "____" as heuristics can be thought of as "____."

A) always correct; may not be correct
B) a quick process; a slow process
C) ill-structured; well-structured
D) insightful; procedures

Question 36

When you go to the store in search of a particular brand or style of shoes, you are searching most directly within a ____.

A) superordinate category
B) mid-level category
C) subordinate category
D) basic level category

Question 37

When you consider the flexible and intuitive rules associated with the term spiritual, you are considering a ____.

A) formal concept
B) natural concept
C) empirical concept
D) subordinate concept

Question 38

When we think about the world there are three conceptual levels that we use to categorize our knowledge. Typically, our thinking of the world falls within the ____.

A) subordinate category
B) superordinate category
C) basic level category
D) mid-level category

Question 39

We form prototypes for ______ categories.

A) basic level
B) natural concept
C) cognitive map
D) image scanning

Question 40

Which item belongs to the superordinate category?

A) Dog
B) Spaniel
C) Animal
D) Camel

Question 41

One specific way to overcome the obstacle of a mental set when attempting to solve a problem is to ____.

A) try functional fixedness
B) use overextension
C) practice a representativeness heuristic
D) let it incubate

Question 42

Insight usually ____.

A) occurs without any effort
B) leads to incorrect solutions
C) takes much thought and knowledge
D) requires the use of algorithms

Question 43

Jason is playing a computer game and just cannot seem to solve a particular problem. He gets frustrated, so he just keeps guessing over and over and over. Jason is using a(n) ____.

A) construct
B) concept
C) heuristic
D) algorithm

Question 44

Which statement is TRUE with regard to problem solving?

A) Guessing and trial and error are not types of heuristics.
B) Algorithms are always the best way to solve problems.
C) Ill-structured problems do not have clear algorithms.
D) Culture does not influence the approach we take to solve problems.

Question 45

Which statement is TRUE of insight?

A) Insight is problem solving without any effort or deep thinking.
B) Insight is sometimes referred to as an "Aha!" experience.
C) Insight rarely requires formal knowledge or training.
D) Insight typically results in an incorrect solution.

Question 46

Determining the number of miles per gallon you got on your last tank of gas by dividing the total mileage since your last fill-up by the number of gallons of gas purchased would be an example of using a(n) ____.

A) heuristic
B) morpheme
C) overextension
D) algorithm

Question 47

Which example best illustrates creativity?

A) Doing library research for a paper
B) Devising a new use for a paper clip
C) Viewing a painting
D) Solving a problem the way others have solved it

Question 48

Divergent thinking is most closely associated with which of the following?

A) Creativity
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Algorithms
D) Natural concepts

Question 49

Well-structured problems can be solved through the use of ____.

A) heuristics only
B) algorithms only
C) natural concepts only
D) heuristics or algorithms

Question 50

Viewing a pencil as only a writing instrument is an example of ____.

A) functional fixedness
B) a mental set
C) an algorithm
D) a phoneme

Question 51

In determining the perfect suit to wear to a job interview, you are most likely to use a(n) ____.

A) heuristic
B) algorithm
C) well-structured solution
D) heuristic or algorithm

Question 52

After struggling with and thinking for several days about the approach you should take in your research paper, you suddenly determine a successful approach. This is most correctly called ____.

A) a heuristic
B) an algorithm
C) insight
D) creativity

Question 53

What is the best example of a well-structured problem?

A) Balancing your checkbook
B) Finding the best layout for the furniture in your apartment
C) Choosing the right outfit to wear on your next date
D) Deciding what to major in at college

Question 54

Which of the following is an ill-structured problem?

A) Deciding how much wallpaper to buy when redecorating your bedroom
B) Figuring out how to program your DVR
C) Deciding where the best place to eat in town is
D) Determining how much soap you need to put in a load of laundry

Question 55

Well-structured problems are to ____ as ill-structured problems are to ____.

A) heuristics; algorithms
B) natural concepts; formal concepts
C) clear solutions; unclear solutions
D) inductive reasoning; deductive reasoning

Question 56

What do functional fixedness and mental sets have in common with each other?

A) They facilitate creativity.
B) They aid in the process of incubation.
C) They are examples of heuristics.
D) They are obstacles to problem solving.

Question 57

Divergent thinking most specifically involves ____.

A) algorithms
B) mental sets
C) thinking of many different ideas quickly
D) imagining something that most other people do not

Question 58

Believing that something is true independent of any reasoning process is known as ____.

A) thinking
B) cognition
C) intuition
D) insight

Question 59

Joanne always attempts to discipline her child through grounding because it has worked in the past. Lately, it has not been working, but she keeps trying because it always worked before. Joanne has encountered which obstacle to problem solving?

A) Functional fixedness
B) An algorithm
C) A mental set
D) Underextension

Question 60

What is most likely to interfere with creativity?

A) Natural concepts
B) Functional fixedness
C) Divergent thinking
D) Inductive reasoning

Question 61

If asked, many people would state that car accidents are a more frequent cause of death in the United States than strokes. However, the truth is that car accidents are just more sensational than the more frequent strokes. This mistake would be an example of ____.

A) the representativeness heuristic
B) inductive reasoning
C) the availability heuristic
D) prototypical thinking

Question 62

Deductive reasoning results in a ____, whereas inductive reasoning results in a ____.

A) conclusion; assumption
B) specific conclusion; general rule
C) assumption; conclusion
D) general rule; specific conclusion

Question 63

Incubation would be most likely to ____.

A) result in functional fixedness
B) help in getting out of a mental set
C) increase the use of natural concepts
D) interfere with creativity

Question 64

Incubation involves ____.

A) inductive reasoning
B) approaching problems with a solution in mind
C) not thinking about a problem
D) generating multiple solutions to a problem

Question 65

When you try to estimate the probability of a presidential candidate winning a race, you are engaged in which type of problem solving?

A) Insight
B) Reasoning
C) Judgment
D) Decision making

Question 66

Based on your experience with your own college professors, you determine that all college professors tend to be reflective thinkers. This is an example of ____.

A) inductive reasoning
B) the availability heuristic
C) deductive reasoning
D) the representativeness heuristic

Question 67

Determining that your psychology teacher is very intelligent because she has a doctoral degree from a university would be an example of ____.

A) the availability heuristic
B) inductive reasoning
C) anchoring and adjustment
D) deductive reasoning

Question 68

Sometimes when making a decision we exhibit loss aversion, which means that we make a decision that reflects a ____.

A) desire to avoid taking a gamble at all costs
B) misunderstanding of the entire situation
C) focus on the costs associated with a potential gain
D) strong motivation to do the thing that will result in the greatest good for all concerned

Question 69

Sarah is taking a test. The first question asks her how many uses she can think of for a beach towel. The next question asks how many ways she could think of to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles. The third question asks how many strategies she can think of to recruit new students to her university. Sarah is probably taking a test to measure her ability in which area?

A) Convergent thinking
B) Divergent thinking
C) Insight
D) Intuition

Question 70

According to the availability heuristic, you are more likely to ____ the number of days that it snows each year, if asked to make this judgment on a ____ day.

A) overestimate; sunny
B) overestimate; snowy
C) underestimate; snowy
D) accurately judge; snowy

Question 71

Sometimes when making a decision we exhibit risk aversion, which means that we make a decision that reflects a ____.

A) misunderstanding of the entire situation
B) desire to gamble in order to avoid loss
C) strong motivation to do the thing that will result in the greatest good for all concerned
D) concern over losing what we already have

Question 72

In inductive reasoning, ____.

A) a general rule is apply to specific cases
B) heuristics are used to reach a conclusion
C) specific instances are used to discover a general rule
D) algorithms are used to reach a conclusion

Question 73

Hakeem spent three hours trying to solve a physics problem to no avail. Finally, in frustration, he gave up and went to watch TV. To his surprise, while watching TV, Hakeem found that he suddenly knew how to solve the problem. Hakeem seems to have benefited from ____.

A) a mental set
B) functional fixedness
C) incubation
D) an algorithm

Question 74

Some people might say that the "glass is half full," while others might say that the "glass is half empty." These different ways of saying the same thing reflect a difference in ____.

A) exemplars
B) insight
C) framing
D) using heuristics

Question 75

Adrian recently survived a killer tsunami while vacationing in Thailand. Now, Adrian believes that another tsunami is very likely to occur. As a result, he is selling his Florida beach home and moving to Kansas. Which of the following best explains Adrian's behavior?

A) The representativeness heuristic
B) The availability heuristic
C) Deductive reasoning
D) Functional fixedness

Question 76

Anna, a high school senior, is a star tennis player who wants to make it on the professional tour. If Anna is high in risk aversion, what is the next step she will likely choose?

A) Getting her bachelors degree at a four-year college
B) Entering low-level tennis tournaments
C) Joining the Peace Corps
D) Taking time off to travel the world

Question 77

In deductive reasoning, ____.

A) a general rule is applied to specific cases
B) heuristics are used to reach a conclusion
C) specific instances are used to discover a general rule
D) algorithms are used to reach a conclusion

Question 78

Perceived outcomes, the probability of achieving those outcomes, and the way in which options are framed are most important in ____.

A) the use of heuristics
B) decision making
C) incubation
D) divergent thinking

Question 79

Henri found 50 different uses for bandage strips in a two-minute time frame. Henri is ____.

A) high in functional fixedness
B) low in functional fixedness
C) stuck in a mental set
D) good at overextension

Question 80

Through the scientific method, psychologists attempt to determine general principles of behavior and mental processes. In this process, psychologists use ____.

A) the availability heuristic
B) inductive reasoning
C) deductive reasoning
D) mental sets