Question 1

In problem solving, the term rule of thumb refers to __________.
A) heuristics
B) algorithms
C) mnemonic devices
D) cognitive shortcuts

Accepted Answer

The term rule of thumb is primarily associated with heuristics, which are mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb" that we use to make decisions and solve problems more efficiently. This can involve breaking down complex problems into simpler components, using past experience to guide decision making, or relying on intuition rather than logic. While mnemonic devices and cognitive shortcuts can also be helpful in problem solving, they are not the primary definition of the rule of thumb. Algorithms are another problem-solving strategy, but they rely on a systematic, step-by-step approach rather than a heuristic or mental shortcut.

Question 2

The concept of confirmation bias specifically assumes that we are most likely to believe __________.
A) the scientific method as true
B) information that agrees with our thinking
C) information that refutes our thinking
D) logical thinking

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, or remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. Therefore, it assumes that we are most likely to believe information that agrees with our thinking.

Question 3

Austin has figured out how to unlock his bedroom door with a paper clip. What has he most likely overcome in his new use of the paper clip?
A) functional fixedness
B) the representational problem
C) the representativeness heuristic
D) confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the cognitive bias that limits a person to think about an object only in terms of its typical functions or uses. Austin has overcome this bias and found a new use for the paper clip to unlock his door, indicating that he has recognized that the paper clip can have a different function beyond its typical use. The other options are not relevant to this situation.

Question 4

Hayden is trying to determine the best way to get to his house after work, because his usual route has been blocked by emergency vehicles due to a car accident. He can't "see" a different route, so instead he imagines how he would drive to work from home if he had to take a different route. Hayden is using the __________ heuristic.
A) working backward
B) representativeness
C) availability
D) subgoaling

Accepted Answer

Hayden is using the working backward heuristic, where he starts from the goal (his house) and works backwards to figure out the steps needed to reach it. The representativeness heuristic involves categorizing things based on how well they fit into a particular prototype or stereotype, which is not relevant in this situation. The availability heuristic involves making judgments based on how easily specific examples come to mind, which is also not relevant here. Subgoaling involves breaking down a larger goal into smaller, more manageable steps, which Hayden is not doing in this scenario.

Question 5

The tendency to perceive and approach problems in the same ways that have worked in the past is called __________.
A) mental set
B) means-end analysis
C) noncompensatory modeling
D) prototypical idealization

Accepted Answer

The tendency to perceive and approach problems in the same ways that have worked in the past is called mental set.

Question 6

Laurel wants to save $25,000 to buy a new car. Instead of focusing on saving the whole amount, she works to earn $1,000 at a time. This makes the process seem more manageable to her. Laurel is using the __________ heuristic.
A) availability
B) subgoaling
C) algorithm
D) mechanical

Accepted Answer

Laurel is breaking down her goal of saving $25,000 into smaller subgoals of earning $1,000 at a time. This is an example of the subgoaling heuristic, where a larger goal is broken down into smaller, more manageable steps. The availability heuristic refers to making judgments based on easily accessible information, the algorithm is a specific problem-solving strategy that guarantees a solution, and the mechanical heuristic does not exist.

Question 7

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men. One student is described as ambitious, athletic, and assertive. Why are most people likely to think this description refers to a male student?
A) They are using the availability heuristic.
B) They are using the representativeness heuristic.
C) People seek only confirming information.
D) People tend to make relative comparisons.

Accepted Answer

People are using the representativeness heuristic, which means they are basing their judgment on how well the description of the student matches their prototype or stereotype of what a male student is like. This is despite the fact that the classroom has more female students, which suggests that the likelihood of the ambitious, athletic, and assertive student being male is actually lower than 50%.

Question 8

A person starts from one point and comes up with many different ideas or possibilities based on that point. The person is engaging in __________ thinking.
A) functional
B) circular
C) convergent
D) divergent

Accepted Answer

The term "divergent thinking" refers to the ability to generate multiple ideas or possibilities from a starting point. This type of thinking is often associated with creativity and innovation, as it allows individuals to explore different options and come up with novel solutions to problems. Functional thinking involves using a specific set of rules or procedures to solve a problem, while circular thinking refers to a repetitive or cyclical pattern of thought. Convergent thinking is the opposite of divergent thinking, and involves focusing on a single solution or answer to a problem.

Question 9

A block to problem solving that comes from thinking about objects only in terms of their most common or typical use is called __________.
A) mental set
B) means-end analysis
C) noncompensatory modeling
D) functional fixedness

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person’s ability to see an object’s potential uses beyond its typical functions. It can prevent individuals from finding creative or unconventional solutions to problems.

Question 10

What term do psychologists use to describe our tendency to search for evidence that supports our belief and to ignore evidence that might disprove it?
A) confirmation bias
B) convergent thinking
C) availability heuristic
D) representativeness heuristic

Accepted Answer

Psychologists use the term confirmation bias to describe our tendency to search for evidence that supports our beliefs and to ignore evidence that might disprove them.

Question 11

The ability to solve problems by combining behaviors and ideas in new ways is called __________.
A) creativity
B) insight
C) heuristics
D) latent learning

Accepted Answer

Creativity involves generating novel ideas or solutions through the combination of existing behaviors or concepts in new and unique ways. Insight refers to a sudden realization or understanding of a problem, but not necessarily the ability to create new solutions. Heuristics are problem-solving strategies that may or may not involve creativity. Latent learning is the acquisition of knowledge that is not immediately observable in behavior.

Question 12

An advantage of using a heuristic over an algorithm is that a heuristic __________.
A) ensures a correct answer
B) takes longer and is more accurate
C) can be quicker
D) always works the same way

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a rule of thumb or a shortcut that helps in quickly finding a good enough solution to a problem. It may not always provide the most accurate or optimal solution, but it can often be much quicker than using an algorithm that guarantees a correct answer. Therefore, the best choice is C, which states that a heuristic can be quicker.

Question 13

A seemingly arbitrary flash "out of the blue," through which the solution to a problem suddenly becomes apparent to you, but you do not consciously know how you "figured it out," is called ________.
A) brainstorming
B) priming
C) insight
D) a mental set

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of insight - a sudden realization of the solution to a problem without a conscious understanding of how it was reached. Brainstorming is a technique for generating ideas in a group setting. Priming is where exposure to a stimulus influences a person's response to a subsequent stimulus. A mental set refers to a tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often hindering problem-solving abilities.

Question 14

A loose screw on the visor causes it to drop down while Ramón drives; however, he keeps forgetting to take a screwdriver out to the car to fix it. When he notices the visor drop again, he reaches into his pocket for a dime and uses it to tighten the screw holding the visor. What problem-solving difficulty did Ramón overcome?
A) relative comparison
B) functional fixedness
C) poor problem representation
D) the representativeness heuristic

Accepted Answer

Ramón overcame functional fixedness by using a dime instead of a screwdriver to tighten the screw. Functional fixedness is a problem-solving difficulty in which a person is unable to see an object as having a use other than its traditional use. In this case, a dime was used in a non-traditional way to solve the problem. The other options are not applicable to the situation described.

Question 15

__________ thinking works well for routine problem solving but may be of little use when a more creative solution is needed.
A) Heuristic
B) Divergent
C) Insightful
D) Convergent

Accepted Answer

Convergent thinking is a type of thinking that involves narrowing down multiple ideas or options to a single, correct answer. It is effective for routine problem-solving where there is a clear goal and well-defined parameters. However, when a more creative solution is needed, divergent thinking (generating multiple ideas and possibilities) may be more effective. Insightful thinking involves having a sudden realization or understanding, while heuristic thinking involves using shortcuts or rules of thumb to arrive at solutions.

Question 16

Agatha Harkness-Smythe is determined to ban guns in the United States. This is a controversial topic and social scientists have debated whether the ownership of guns by citizens increases or decreases crime. Agatha could go to the library and look up studies on the linkage between guns and crime rates. Instead, she just reads the local newspaper and only cuts out articles about robberies in which the "bad guy" used a firearm. Agatha is demonstrating __________.
A) mental set
B) confirmation bias
C) stereotype threat
D) mindlessness

Accepted Answer

Agatha is demonstrating confirmation bias, which is the tendency to search for, interpret, and prioritize information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. She is only seeking out information that supports her stance on banning guns and ignoring information that may contradict it.

Question 17

Every time he loses his wallet, Hakeem cannot stop checking the back pocket of the pants he is wearing. He knows the wallet is not there, and yet he continues to put his hand in the pocket to check just "one more time." This tendency to try to solve problems in the same way every time is called __________.
A) mental set
B) means-end analysis
C) noncompensatory modeling
D) prototypical idealization

Accepted Answer

Mental set is the tendency to approach problems in the same way that has worked in the past, even if it is not the most effective way to solve it in the present moment. Hakeem's behavior of checking the same pocket even though his wallet is not there is an example of mental set. Means-end analysis is a problem-solving strategy where the individual identifies the differences between the current state and the desired goal and then searches for means to reduce the difference. Noncompensatory modeling is a decision-making strategy where one option's potential negative attributes can eliminate it from consideration, even if it has positive attributes as well. Prototypical idealization refers to an individual's tendency to overgeneralize the characteristics of a particular group or object based on a prototype or idealized stereotype. None of the other answer choices seem to fit Hakeem's behavior described in the scenario.

Question 18

Due to the __________, Dylan mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position.
A) representativeness heuristic
B) availability heuristic
C) planning fallacy
D) confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is the tendency to rely on readily available information in making judgments or decisions. In this case, Dylan is likely overestimating the number of words that begin with the letter "k" because those words are more easily available in his mind, due to their initial position in the word, than words that have "k" in the third position.

Question 19

What type of thinking could be described as taking different directions in search of a variety of answers to a question?
A) decisive thinking
B) convergent thinking
C) heuristic thinking
D) divergent thinking

Accepted Answer

Divergent thinking involves exploring multiple possibilities and ideas in order to generate creative solutions. This type of thinking encourages individuals to take different directions in their thoughts and search for a variety of answers to a question. Decisive thinking involves making quick decisions based on available information, convergent thinking involves narrowing down options to find the correct answer, and heuristic thinking involves using shortcuts or rules of thumb to solve problems.

Question 20

Köhler demonstrated "aha!" or insight behavior with __________.
A) birds
B) dogs
C) cats
D) chimpanzees

Accepted Answer

Köhler demonstrated insight behavior with chimpanzees in his experiments on problem solving with tools, where the animals were able to use sticks and boxes to reach food that was placed out of reach. The chimpanzees showed sudden understanding and used the tools in a way that demonstrated insight or "aha!" behavior.

Quiz 7: Cognition: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language

In problem solving, the term rule of thumb refers to __________.

The concept of confirmation bias specifically assumes that we are most likely to believe __________.

Austin has figured out how to unlock his bedroom door with a paper clip. What has he most likely overcome in his new use of the paper clip?

The tendency to perceive and approach problems in the same ways that have worked in the past is called __________.

Laurel wants to save $25,000 to buy a new car. Instead of focusing on saving the whole amount, she works to earn $1,000 at a time. This makes the process seem more manageable to her. Laurel is using the __________ heuristic.

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men. One student is described as ambitious, athletic, and assertive. Why are most people likely to think this description refers to a male student?

A person starts from one point and comes up with many different ideas or possibilities based on that point. The person is engaging in __________ thinking.

A block to problem solving that comes from thinking about objects only in terms of their most common or typical use is called __________.

What term do psychologists use to describe our tendency to search for evidence that supports our belief and to ignore evidence that might disprove it?

The ability to solve problems by combining behaviors and ideas in new ways is called __________.

An advantage of using a heuristic over an algorithm is that a heuristic __________.

A seemingly arbitrary flash "out of the blue," through which the solution to a problem suddenly becomes apparent to you, but you do not consciously know how you "figured it out," is called ________.

__________ thinking works well for routine problem solving but may be of little use when a more creative solution is needed.

Due to the __________, Dylan mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position.

What type of thinking could be described as taking different directions in search of a variety of answers to a question?

Köhler demonstrated "aha!" or insight behavior with __________.