Question 1

A political science professor attempts to facilitate her students' completion of a term paper assignment by requiring them to first submit a topic statement,then a list of references,then a draft of the introduction,and then,finally,the completed paper.The professor is encouraging her students to use the problem-solving strategy of ___.
A) forming subgoals
B) using an analogy
C) working backward
D) trial and error

Accepted Answer

Requiring students to submit a topic statement, list of references, draft introduction, and completed paper represents forming subgoals. By breaking the task into smaller, more manageable parts, the professor encourages students to focus on one step at a time and work toward the ultimate goal of completing the paper.

Question 2

The tendency to view an object as having only one purpose or use is called
A) confirmation bias.
B) functional fixedness.
C) mental set.
D) availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the tendency for people to view objects as having only one purpose or use. This mental bias can limit creativity and problem-solving abilities as it prevents individuals from seeing novel or unconventional uses for familiar objects.

Question 3

Each of the following is a reason to use a heuristic rather than an algorithm,EXCEPT
A) sometimes no algorithm is available to solve a specific problem.
B) heuristics often require less time and effort to apply than do algorithms.
C) heuristics produce successful problem solutions with sufficient frequency to justify their use.
D) heuristics yield the single best solution to a problem.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics may not always yield the single best solution to a problem, but they provide a satisfactory solution that is often adequate for everyday problem-solving situations. The other options (A, B, and C) are valid reasons to use heuristics over algorithms.

Question 4

Clyde is watching his son's baseball game.He brought his umbrella because he thought it was going to rain,but it turns out that it is incredibly sunny.Clyde complains to the guy next to him that he forgot his sunscreen,and the guy suggests that he use his umbrella for shade.Obviously,Clyde's neighbour is NOT suffering from
A) a mental set.
B) functional fixedness.
C) the confirmation bias.
D) the availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness refers to a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used. The neighbour in this scenario is suggesting that Clyde use his umbrella for shade, which is not the traditional use of an umbrella. Therefore, the neighbour is not suffering from functional fixedness. A, C, and D are all irrelevant to the scenario.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT associated with problem solving?
A) recognizing a current state as unsatisfactory
B) telling others about a current state
C) possessing the desire to reach a goal
D) utilizing a set of strategies to achieve a goal

Accepted Answer

Telling others about a current state may be a part of communication or information sharing, but not necessarily a part of problem solving itself. The other options (recognizing unsatisfactory state, desire to reach a goal, utilizing strategies) are all fundamental components of problem solving.

Question 6

Javika went grocery shopping.She bought 3 cans of soup for $1.85 each,a box of crackers for $4.39,and two loaves of bread for $3.39 each.After paying the cashier,she received $3.28 back in change.How much money did she give the cashier? This question would be best solved by using the ___method.
A) forming subgoals
B) working backward
C) trial and error
D) using an analogy

Accepted Answer

Working backward is the most efficient method for this problem because we are given the final change amount and need to determine the initial amount given to the cashier. We can work backwards to subtract the cost of the items from the initial amount and see if it matches the change given. The other methods listed, such as forming subgoals, trial and error, and using an analogy, are not applicable or efficient for this specific problem.

Question 7

All the following are types of problem-solving strategies EXCEPT
A) algorithms.
B) searching for analogies.
C) functional fixedness.
D) working backward.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is not a type of problem-solving strategy, but rather a cognitive bias that involves being unable to see an object's potential uses beyond its typical or expected one. The other choices - algorithms, searching for analogies, and working backward - are all types of problem-solving strategies.

Question 8

Navya and Beatriz are looking at the cans of coffee on display at a local supermarket.They are trying to decide which of two different-sized cans is the better buy.Navya attempts to divide the price of each can by the number of ounces of coffee each contains.Beatriz suggests that "the larger size is usually a better buy."Navya is using a(n)___; Beatriz,a(n)___.
A) heuristic; algorithm
B) algorithm; heuristic
C) schema; algorithm
D) heuristic; schema

Accepted Answer

Navya is attempting to use an algorithm by dividing the price by the number of ounces, while Beatriz is using a heuristic by assuming that the larger size is always a better buy.

Question 9

Finnegan is in the local pub claiming that there is a magic owl that lives outside of his house.He says that every evening after the owl hoots,the sun goes down.What obstacle to problem solving is Finnegan showing?
A) representativeness heuristic
B) availability heuristic
C) confirmation bias
D) functional fixedness

Accepted Answer

Finnegan is exhibiting confirmation bias by only focusing on information that confirms his belief about the magic owl and ignoring any other possible explanations for why the sun goes down.

Question 10

A machine can perform millions of calculations per second.This characteristic allows it to use what type of problem-solving strategy?
A) insight
B) functional
C) algorithmic
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

Algorithmic problem-solving involves following a set of rules or instructions to reach a solution. Machines are particularly good at this type of problem-solving because they can perform many calculations quickly and efficiently.

Question 11

Which of the following best expresses the relationship between incubation and insight?
A) Insight precedes incubation.
B) Insight follows incubation.
C) Insight is synonymous with incubation.
D) Insight and incubation are unrelated.

Accepted Answer

Incubation is the subconscious processing of information that occurs when a problem is set aside, often leading to an "aha moment" of insight or sudden understanding. Therefore, insight follows incubation.

Question 12

Aish said she could NOT put batteries in her new toy because she did NOT have a screwdriver.What problem-solving difficulty did NOT prompt her to find another device she could use to serve the same purpose?
A) confirmation bias
B) working backward
C) functional fixedness
D) lack of imagination

Accepted Answer

The problem-solving difficulty that did not prompt Aish to find another device she could use is functional fixedness. This refers to the inability to see an object's potential uses beyond its intended purpose. Aish was stuck on the idea that a screwdriver is necessary to put batteries in her toy, and did not consider alternative objects that could serve the same purpose, such as a coin or a butter knife. Confirmation bias, working backward, and lack of imagination all involve different aspects of problem-solving, but are not relevant to the specific difficulty Aish faced in this situation.

Question 13

Milan is on his way to his car in his office parking lot when suddenly a huge hailstorm breaks out and pea-sized pieces of hail begin to fall on Milan's head.He takes his briefcase and covers his head with it as he runs to his car.Thank goodness that Milan's problem-solving abilities aren't suffering from
A) a mental set.
B) functional fixedness.
C) the confirmation bias.
D) the availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the inability to see an object as being useful for something other than its intended purpose. Milan was able to use his briefcase, which is typically used to carry papers or documents, as a shield to protect his head from the hail. Therefore, his problem-solving abilities are not suffering from functional fixedness. The other options (mental set, confirmation bias, availability heuristic) do not fit this scenario.

Question 14

Although Eitan worked on his chemistry homework for several hours,he still did NOT understand it.While taking a break to watch television,he gained insight into the processes he had studied.What term describes his "break"?
A) encoding period
B) incubation period
C) retrieval period
D) critical period

Accepted Answer

The incubation period refers to the "break" period where the individual is not actively attempting to solve the problem but may gain insight or a new perspective on the problem during this time.

Question 15

Tala is stumped by a problem in her pre-calculus text.She furtively glances at the answer provided in the back of the text to get an idea of how the solution should look before she returns to the problem.Tala's strategy most closely resembles the problem-solving heuristic of ___.
A) forming subgoals
B) trial and error
C) working backward
D) using an analogy

Accepted Answer

Tala is using the problem-solving heuristic of working backward, where she is looking at the answer provided in the back of the text and trying to work backward to see how the solution could have been obtained.

Question 16

Functional fixedness occurs when
A) we look for information that meets our expectations.
B) we view an object as having only one purpose or use.
C) we use problem-solving strategies that have worked in the past.
D) we use a shortcut thinking strategy.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias in which individuals see an object as having only one purpose or use, failing to see its potential for other uses or functions.

Question 17

Tamar is trying to resolve an ongoing conflict with her girlfriend.She recalls a comparable situation with one of her exes and attempts to solve her current problem in the same way.To solve her problem,Tamar is
A) using an analogy.
B) trying incubation.
C) relying on automatic processing.
D) using an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

Tamar is using an analogy- comparing her current situation with that of her previous relationship to find a solution.

Question 18

Which of the following terms best captures the meaning of the term heuristic,as cognitive psychologists use it?
A) recipe
B) formula
C) strategy
D) program

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a mental shortcut or strategy used to make decisions or solve problems. While a recipe or formula implies a fixed set of steps or instructions, a heuristic is more flexible and adaptable. A program suggests a rigid, computer-like system, whereas a heuristic is more human-based and can involve trial and error. Therefore, the best choice to capture the meaning of heuristic is C) strategy.

Question 19

The difference between a mental set and functional fixedness is that a mental set is ___,and functional fixedness is ___.
A) getting stuck in using the same strategy that worked in the past; only seeing one purpose for an object
B) using a hierarchical strategy; using the most obvious strategy
C) using the same approach to solve a problem over and over again; thinking abstractly about the function of an object
D) controlling and managing the processing of information; focusing primarily on obvious fixes to a problem

Accepted Answer

A mental set is a tendency to approach a problem in a certain way based on past experiences or routines. Functional fixedness is a type of mental set where a person only sees one purpose or use for an object, making it difficult to think of alternative uses or solutions. Therefore, choice A is the best answer as it accurately describes both mental set and functional fixedness.

Question 20

Laelis weighing several job offers.She multiplies each job's score on several criteria by the importance of the criteria,then sums the products.In the terminology of problem solving,Laelis attempting to use a(n)___ to make her decision.
A) schema
B) analogy
C) algorithm
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

Lael is using an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure for calculations, for making her decision. By systematically multiplying and summing based on set criteria, she is following a precise formula to reach a decision.

Quiz 9: Language and Thought

The tendency to view an object as having only one purpose or use is called

Each of the following is a reason to use a heuristic rather than an algorithm,EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT associated with problem solving?

Javika went grocery shopping.She bought 3 cans of soup for $1.85 each,a box of crackers for $4.39,and two loaves of bread for $3.39 each.After paying the cashier,she received $3.28 back in change.How much money did she give the cashier? This question would be best solved by using the ___method.

All the following are types of problem-solving strategies EXCEPT

Finnegan is in the local pub claiming that there is a magic owl that lives outside of his house.He says that every evening after the owl hoots,the sun goes down.What obstacle to problem solving is Finnegan showing?

A machine can perform millions of calculations per second.This characteristic allows it to use what type of problem-solving strategy?

Which of the following best expresses the relationship between incubation and insight?

Aish said she could NOT put batteries in her new toy because she did NOT have a screwdriver.What problem-solving difficulty did NOT prompt her to find another device she could use to serve the same purpose?

Although Eitan worked on his chemistry homework for several hours,he still did NOT understand it.While taking a break to watch television,he gained insight into the processes he had studied.What term describes his "break"?

Tala is stumped by a problem in her pre-calculus text.She furtively glances at the answer provided in the back of the text to get an idea of how the solution should look before she returns to the problem.Tala's strategy most closely resembles the problem-solving heuristic of ___.

Functional fixedness occurs when

Tamar is trying to resolve an ongoing conflict with her girlfriend.She recalls a comparable situation with one of her exes and attempts to solve her current problem in the same way.To solve her problem,Tamar is

Which of the following terms best captures the meaning of the term heuristic,as cognitive psychologists use it?

The difference between a mental set and functional fixedness is that a mental set is _,and functional fixedness is _.

Laelis weighing several job offers.She multiplies each job's score on several criteria by the importance of the criteria,then sums the products.In the terminology of problem solving,Laelis attempting to use a(n) ___ to make her decision.