Question 1

_____ are mental categories used to group objects, events, and characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Concepts are mental categories that group objects, events, and characteristics together based on their shared features. Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems, semantics is the study of word meanings, and matrices are mathematical arrays or grids of numbers.

Question 2

Sam manages a fast-food restaurant.He is frustrated because employees often call in sick at the last minute before the start of their shift.Given that Sam recognizes this problem, which of the following is the next immediate step that he should take to solve this problem?

Accepted Answer

The first step in solving a problem is clearly defining it. Sam needs to identify the root cause of employees calling in sick and develop strategies to address it. Without a clear understanding of the problem, implementing or evaluating solutions will not be effective. Once the problem is defined and strategies are in place, Sam can proceed with implementing and evaluating solutions over time.

Question 3

Why are computers considered to be an oversimplified model of the mind's processing of information?

Accepted Answer

Computers only process information that is pre-coded and unambiguous. In contrast, the human mind processes large amounts of complex and often ambiguous information, making it a much more complex system than a computer.

Question 4

You have to cook dinner for 30 people on Saturday.Your apartment is a mess and you have nothing to wear.You decide to do your laundry Thursday night, buy the groceries on Friday, clean the apartment Saturday morning, and cook the dinner Saturday evening.Preparing for the dinner party in this way is an example of

Accepted Answer

The process of breaking down a larger goal into smaller, more manageable subgoals is known as subgoaling. In this scenario, the individual has broken down the larger goal of hosting a dinner party for 30 people into smaller subgoals of doing laundry, buying groceries, cleaning the apartment, and cooking dinner. This approach allows for a more organized and achievable plan of action.

Question 5

You have to study four chapters of information for your next test.If you decide to use the problem-solving strategy of subgoaling, which of the following would you most likely do?

Accepted Answer

Subgoaling involves breaking a larger task into smaller, more manageable subgoals. Therefore, the best choice for using this strategy would be to break the four chapters into smaller areas and focus on each in an organized sequence. This would help to make studying more manageable and less overwhelming, and increase the chances of success on the test. The other choices listed are not directly related to the subgoaling strategy and are not as effective.

Question 6

According to _____, when people evaluate whether a particular object reflects a certain concept, they compare the most typical item(s) in that category and look for a "family resemblance" with that item's properties.

Accepted Answer

The prototype model proposes that people compare objects to the most typical item(s) in that category, known as prototypes, and look for a "family resemblance" with that item's properties. This helps them determine whether a particular object reflects a certain concept. The availability heuristic model, Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence, and Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences are not applicable to this concept.

Question 7

Cognitive psychology studies all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychology is a scientific study of mental processes such as attention, perception, memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and decision making. Telepathy involves supernatural or paranormal phenomena that do not fall within the scope of scientific inquiry, and hence cognitive psychology does not study it.

Question 8

In everyday situations, finding and framing problems can be difficult because many real-life problems

Accepted Answer

Many real-life problems are complex and multifaceted, making it difficult to define the problem clearly. There may be multiple potential solutions or causes, which makes it challenging to identify the best course of action. This lack of clarity can make problem finding and framing a daunting task for many people.

Question 9

_____ may help us to generalize, whereas _____ may help us accomplish a goal.

Accepted Answer

Concepts help us generalize because they are mental categories that group objects, events, and characteristics based on common properties, which allows us to apply what we know about a concept to new instances that fit the concept. Problem solving, on the other hand, involves using strategies or methodologies to achieve a goal or find a solution to a given issue, thus helping us accomplish a goal.

Question 10

Which of the following is the first step in the problem-solving process?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the problem-solving process is to find and frame the problem. Before solutions can be evaluated or strategies developed, the problem must be clearly identified and defined. Rethinking and redefining problems and solutions over time is a continuous process throughout the problem-solving process.

Question 11

A prototype is a

Accepted Answer

A prototype is a typical example of a concept that embodies the essential characteristics of that concept. It is a mental representation or image that individuals use to categorize and understand the world around them. It is not a strategy, tendency, or process.

Question 12

Your roommate argues that computers can perform several complex tasks better and more accurately than humans.You counter her argument by mentioning that computers cannot _____, a task that only humans have the means to perform.

Accepted Answer

Computers, while advanced in many areas, still lack the ability to independently develop new learning goals. This requires a level of creativity, understanding, and adaptability that is currently unique to humans. Tasks like prescribing medical treatments, evaluating loan applications, and assisting in diagnosing medical illnesses can be performed by computers with the appropriate algorithms and data, but developing new learning goals involves a level of abstract thinking and goal-setting beyond current AI capabilities.

Question 13

Which of the following is true of concepts?

Accepted Answer

Concepts provide mental categories that help us to organize and interpret our experiences. By providing clues about how to react to a particular object or experience, concepts facilitate cognition and learning. Options A, B, and C are all incorrect because concepts aid in generalization, are shaped by experiences and objects, and simplify the memory process by creating mental shortcuts.

Question 14

Dan is at an international food fest with his brother Jude.When Dan is served a dish of Mopane worm stew, Jude tells him reassuringly, "That's food!" and Dan comprehends his statement regarding the concept of food.Which of the following characteristics of concepts has been illustrated in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dan is at an international food fest...

Question 15

Cognitive psychology is the study of

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes, such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving. It seeks to understand how people think, reason, and make decisions. Emotions and sensations are within the realm of affective psychology, abnormal functioning of one's physiology pertains to behavioral and physiological psychology, and social relationships are the domain of social psychology.

Question 16

When using the computer as an analogy to explain the relationship between cognition and the brain, the brain is described as the computer's _____ and cognition is described as its _____.

Accepted Answer

The brain can be compared to the hardware of a computer as it is the physical part of the system, while cognition can be compared to the software as it refers to the mental processes and abilities that run on the brain's hardware.

Question 17

The last step in the problem-solving process is _____.

Accepted Answer

The last step in the problem-solving process involves rethinking and redefining problems and solutions over time to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

Question 18

Basketball, football, baseball, and soccer all fit into the _____ of sports.

Accepted Answer

The word "category" could also be used instead of "concept". The other options are not relevant to the context.

Question 19

Approaches that attempt to explain observable behavior by investigating mental processes and structures that cannot be directly observed by individuals fall under _____ psychology.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving, and how these processes affect behavior. It aims to understand the internal mental processes that influence behavior, even though they cannot be directly observed.

Question 20

Recognizing problems involves

Accepted Answer

Recognizing problems involves having the ability to be aware of and open to experiences, which allows one to identify when something is not working or not optimal. Functional fixedness refers to the tendency to see objects as only able to be used in traditional or expected ways, and artificial intelligence refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Using heuristics involves utilizing mental shortcuts or rules of thumb to make decisions, but may not necessarily involve recognizing problems.

Quiz 7: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language