Question 1

This view of insight suggests that there is something special about insight.Support for this view is that problem-solvers show poor ability in predicting success until just prior to solving the problem.Thus,problem-solvers for insight problems lack an incremental increase in terms of predicting success of finding a solution.
A)The Neo-Gestaltist view
B)The nothing-special view
C)The three-process view
D)The normal-to-special process view

Accepted Answer

The view that there is something special about insight is known as the Neo-Gestaltist view. This view suggests that problem-solving involves sudden insight or restructuring of the problem, rather than just incremental problem-solving. The lack of an incremental increase in predicting success supports this view, as it suggests that there is a sudden shift in thinking that leads to insight.

Question 2

__________ refers to the inability to see that something that is known to have a particular use may also be used for performing other functions.
A)Functional inhibition
B)Divergent thinking
C)Introceptive thinking
D)Functional fixedness

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the cognitive bias that limits a person to only see an object or concept in its most common or familiar use, thereby preventing them from considering other possible uses.

Question 3

__________ generally involve successive,somewhat mechanical iterations of a particular strategy until an answer (usually,the correct solution)is reached.
A)Algorithms
B)Heuristics
C)Isomorphic problems
D)Global planning strategies

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or strategies that are commonly used in problem-solving to arrive at a correct solution. They are generally mechanical and involve a fixed set of rules or procedures to follow in order to reach an answer. Unlike heuristics, which involve more flexible and creative problem-solving approaches, algorithms are designed to follow a strict set of guidelines until the correct solution is found.

Question 4

__________ refers to a seemingly sudden understanding of the nature of something,often as a result of taking a novel approach to the problem.
A)Insight
B)Creativity
C)Incubation
D)Deduction

Accepted Answer

Insight refers to a sudden understanding or realization. It often comes as a result of taking a novel approach to a problem or situation. Creativity refers to the ability to come up with new ideas, while incubation refers to the subconscious processing of information to arrive at a solution. Deduction refers to the act of reasoning from general principles to specific instances.

Question 5

__________ refers to a cognitive phenomenon in which a person is predisposed to use an existing model for representing information,even when the existing model inadequately represents the information in a new situation.
A)Heuristic facilitation
B)Mental set
C)Algorithm fixedness
D)Stationary thinking

Accepted Answer

Mental set is a tendency to approach a problem or situation in a particular way based on previously successful strategies or familiar models of thinking. This can lead to a fixedness in problem-solving and limit the ability to see alternative solutions.

Question 6

Which of the following is true regarding isomorphic problems?
A)It is easy for children to identify similarities between them.
B)Identifying underlying similarities is more difficult when content greatly differs.
C)It is easy for adults to identify similarities between them.
D)Identifying the underlying features is easy;solving the problems is difficult.

Accepted Answer

Isomorphic problems involve identifying underlying similarities between seemingly different problems. When the content of the problems greatly differs, it becomes more difficult to identify these similarities. This makes option B the correct answer. Option A and C are incorrect as they generalize the ability of age groups to identify similarities. Option D is incorrect as identifying the underlying features is the key to solving isomorphic problems.

Question 7

Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler were two respected ___________ psychologists who made important contributions in the area of insightful thinking.
A)psychometric
B)information processing
C)Gestalt
D)structural

Accepted Answer

Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler were both part of the Gestalt psychology movement, which focused on understanding how individuals perceive and interpret information holistically, rather than in individual parts or pieces.

Question 8

__________ refers to thought processes that involve novel insights that go beyond the bounds of existing associations.
A)Convergent thinking
B)Positive transfer
C)Reproductive thinking
D)Productive thinking

Accepted Answer

Productive thinking is a type of thinking that is not bounded by existing associations and involves producing novel insights. It is characterized by creativity, originality, and flexibility, and involves the ability to generate new ideas, concepts, and solutions. Convergent thinking, on the other hand, is a type of thinking that focuses on finding the best solution among available options, while reproductive thinking involves the reproduction of existing knowledge and information. Positive transfer, finally, refers to the transfer of learning or experience from one context to another, leading to improved performance or problem solving.

Question 9

The __________ refers to the universe of all possible actions that can be applied to solve a problem.
A)action space
B)problem space
C)action universe
D)solution universe

Accepted Answer

The term "problem space" is commonly used in the field of artificial intelligence and refers to the set of all possible actions that can be taken to solve a particular problem. It is also sometimes called the search space or solution space. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice for this question. Options A, C, and D are not commonly used terms to refer to this concept.

Question 10

This is a particular type of mental set when one believes that members of a particular social group tend to have similar characteristics.
A)functional fixedness
B)stereotypes
C)negative transfer
D)convergent thinking

Accepted Answer

Stereotypes refer to the tendency to assign similar characteristics to members of a particular social group. Functional fixedness refers to the inability to see a new use for an existing object, negative transfer refers to the interference of previously learned information with the learning of new information, and convergent thinking refers to the ability to find a single solution to a problem.

Question 11

This type of thinking is when the person is working with associations that are already known and this type of thinking is not associated with insight problems.
A)reproductive thinking
B)productive thinking
C)convergent thinking
D)divergent thinking

Accepted Answer

Reproductive thinking is a type of thinking where the individual uses their existing knowledge and associations to solve problems. It is not associated with insight problems and is often used in more routine or straightforward problem-solving situations.

Question 12

This iterative method of problem solving involves reducing the difference between your current state and your goal state.
A)global planning
B)fluid intelligence
C)means-ends analysis
D)componential analysis

Accepted Answer

Means-ends analysis is a problem-solving strategy that involves reducing the difference between your current state and your goal state by breaking down the problem into smaller sub-problems and identifying the means to solve those sub-problems. This iterative process helps to narrow the gap between the current state and the goal state until the problem is solved. Global planning involves creating a plan of action or strategy to achieve a long-term goal, while fluid intelligence refers to the ability to think and reason abstractly. Componential analysis involves breaking down a complex concept into its individual components to better understand how it works.

Question 13

__________ problems refer to problems with no clear,readily available path to solution.
A)Positive transfer
B)Negative transfer
C)Ill-structured
D)Isomorphic

Accepted Answer

Ill-structured problems are those which lack a clear path to solution, and may require a trial-and-error approach or creative problem-solving techniques to address. Positive and negative transfer refer to the ways in which previously learned knowledge or skills may assist or hinder learning of new material, while isomorphic problems refer to those which have a similar underlying structure or pattern to other problems.

Question 14

When problem-solvers __________,they fixate on a strategy that normally works in solving many problems,but that does not work in solving a particular problem of interest.
A)have an entrenched mental set
B)have an unentrenched mental set
C)experience heuristic facilitation
D)experience algorithmic fixedness

Accepted Answer

When problem-solvers have an entrenched mental set, they are fixated on a strategy that usually works for solving problems but fails to solve a specific problem at hand. This mental set limits their ability to think of alternative solutions.

Question 15

Becoming free of __________ is what first allowed people to use a reshaped coat hanger to get into a locked car,and it is what first allowed thieves to pick simple spring door locks with a credit card.
A)functional inhibition
B)divergent thinking
C)introceptive thinking
D)functional fixedness

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness refers to the tendency to see objects only in terms of their typical uses, which can prevent individuals from finding creative solutions to problems. In this case, becoming free of functional fixedness allowed people to use a coat hanger and a credit card for unconventional purposes, such as unlocking a car or a door.

Question 16

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that activation in the right anterior temporal area is related to insight.Which of the following statements best describes that relationship?
A)Increased activity is associated with insight but not with other types of problem solving.
B)Decreased activity in this area predicts occurrence of insight in participants.
C)Baseline activity in this area predicts success at solving insight problems.
D)Increased activity in this area immediately precedes insight in participants.

Accepted Answer

Increased activity in the right anterior temporal area of the brain has been observed immediately before individuals experience insight, suggesting a direct relationship between this neural activity and the moment of insight realization.

Question 17

__________ problems have the same formal structure and differ only in their content.
A)Acontextual
B)Structural
C)Isoformic
D)Isomorphic

Accepted Answer

Isomorphic problems have the same formal structure but different content. This means that the way these problems are solved remains the same irrespective of the context or format in which they are presented. The term "isomorphic" is often used in the context of mathematics, where different problems may share the same underlying structure or formula.

Question 18

According to __________ psychologists,insight problems require problem solvers to perceive the problem as a whole,which differs from perceiving the problem as a collection of its parts.
A)Gestalt
B)information processing
C)structural
D)behavioral

Accepted Answer

Gestalt psychology emphasizes the role of perception and integration of information to understand complex phenomena. Insight problems, which require a sudden realization of a solution, are perceived as a whole rather than a collection of bits and pieces. Therefore, the approach of Gestalt psychology aligns with this perception process.

Question 19

fMRI studies have revealed increased activity in ___________ when a person experiences insight.
A)Brodmann's areas
B)Dorsilateral prefrontal cortex
C)Right anterior superior-temporal gyrus
D)Occipital lobe

Accepted Answer

Multiple fMRI studies have shown increased activity in the right anterior superior-temporal gyrus during insight. This region is known to be associated with language comprehension and semantic processing.

Question 20

__________ refer(s)to informal,intuitive,speculative strategies for solving problems,which sometimes work and sometimes do not.
A)Incubation
B)Creativity
C)Insight
D)Heuristics

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are informal and intuitive strategies used to solve problems that may not necessarily be guaranteed to work every time. They are often used when a formal, systematic approach is not feasible or when the problem is complex and requires some trial and error to find a solution. Examples of heuristics include trial and error, rule of thumb, and educated guesswork.

Quiz 11: Problem Solving and Creativity

__________ refers to the inability to see that something that is known to have a particular use may also be used for performing other functions.

__________ generally involve successive,somewhat mechanical iterations of a particular strategy until an answer (usually,the correct solution) is reached.

__________ refers to a seemingly sudden understanding of the nature of something,often as a result of taking a novel approach to the problem.

__________ refers to a cognitive phenomenon in which a person is predisposed to use an existing model for representing information,even when the existing model inadequately represents the information in a new situation.

Which of the following is true regarding isomorphic problems?

Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Köhler were two respected ___________ psychologists who made important contributions in the area of insightful thinking.

__________ refers to thought processes that involve novel insights that go beyond the bounds of existing associations.

The __________ refers to the universe of all possible actions that can be applied to solve a problem.

This is a particular type of mental set when one believes that members of a particular social group tend to have similar characteristics.

This type of thinking is when the person is working with associations that are already known and this type of thinking is not associated with insight problems.

This iterative method of problem solving involves reducing the difference between your current state and your goal state.

__________ problems refer to problems with no clear,readily available path to solution.

When problem-solvers __________,they fixate on a strategy that normally works in solving many problems,but that does not work in solving a particular problem of interest.

Becoming free of __________ is what first allowed people to use a reshaped coat hanger to get into a locked car,and it is what first allowed thieves to pick simple spring door locks with a credit card.

Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated that activation in the right anterior temporal area is related to insight.Which of the following statements best describes that relationship?

__________ problems have the same formal structure and differ only in their content.

According to __________ psychologists,insight problems require problem solvers to perceive the problem as a whole,which differs from perceiving the problem as a collection of its parts.

fMRI studies have revealed increased activity in ___________ when a person experiences insight.

__________ refer(s) to informal,intuitive,speculative strategies for solving problems,which sometimes work and sometimes do not.