Deck 3: Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively

Question 1

An example of not getting stuck on one problem definition was Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A good problem definition includes differentiating factual information from speculative information.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A common problem in managerial decision making is that alternative solutions to problems are evaluated as they are proposed.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

When defining the problem,top priority should be placed on identifying all the underlying symptoms of the problem.

Question 5

Implementation of a solution to a problem should include opportunities for feedback.

Question 6

Making inappropriate assumptions that inhibit problem solutions is an example of the conceptual block of compression.

Question 7

Conceptual blocks are mental obstacles that constrain the way problems are defined and that limit the number of alternative solutions thought to be relevant.

Question 8

When evaluating alternatives,one should be concerned about meeting organizational goals.

Question 9

"Incubation" creative problem solving,according to the DeGraff model cited in the text,would be the pursuit of rapid goal achievement and achieving results faster than others.

Question 10

Finding commonalities among two things is a good way to overcome a conceptual block in problem solving.

Question 11

Breakthroughs,out-of-the-box thinking,and radical thinking would be a type of creative problem solving that can be called "Imagination."

Question 12

Examples of the conceptual block of constancy include lateral thinking and only one thinking language.

Question 13

The analytical problem-solving model works best when the problem faced is complex and ambiguous.

Question 14

The analytical problem-solving model would be the most appropriate approach in determining why employee morale has declined in an organization.

Question 15

Improving on what already exists and systematically developing alternatives is a creative problem-solving approach that Jeff DeGraff would call "Improvement."

Question 16

Your team at work has been specifying solutions that are consistent with the goals of the organization and has been building on each other's ideas.Your team is effectively generating alternatives.

Question 17

According to the authors of the text,one reason why most people have difficulty solving problems creatively is because they think of creativity simply as generating new ideas.

Question 18

Susan states,"Well,I think this solution will work for now." Susan violated an important guideline for effectively evaluating alternative solutions to problems.

Question 19

Involving others in implementing the solution to a problem will increase support of and decrease resistance to the solution.

Question 20

If you define a current problem in terms of problems you have faced in the past,you are demonstrating the conceptual block of stereotyping.

Question 21

As a supervisor,you comment,"I wish all employees would work without supervision." This is an example of a symbolic analogy.

Question 22

Which is best when generating alternatives?

A)Evaluate the alternatives as they are proposed;this saves time.
B)Focus on the short term;bad decisions in the short term means there is no long term to worry about.
C)Evaluate the alternatives after all alternatives have been proposed.
D)Separate alternatives from one another.

Question 23

An individual who is apt to be organized,planned,and precise is an ambidextrous thinker.

Question 24

Your computer programming boss stares out the window with his feet up for at least an hour every day.Most people think he is not working.This is an example of the conceptual block of bias against thinking.

Question 25

You are asked to list all the possible uses for a Ping-Pong ball.After making the list,by using the technique of subdivision,you should be able to determine many more alternative uses for the Ping-Pong ball.

Question 26

A manager of a shipping department was concerned about an order that a customer reported as several weeks late.To define the problem,the manager asked an employee in the shipping department why the order had not arrived.The employee said,"Someone probably made a mistake on the address.That would be my guess." Thus,the manager asked the employee to reship the order.What characteristic of good problem definition is most violated by this manager?

A)The problem factual information should be differentiated from opinion or speculation.
B)The problem should be stated explicitly.
C)The problem definition should be different than a disguised solution.
D)The problem definition should be written down.

Question 27

What is the natural tendency of people in resolving problems?

A)Select the first reasonable solution that comes to mind
B)Select the first reasonable problem that comes to mind
C)Select the best solution after evaluating all the alternatives
D)None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 28

Having failed every traditional 3M test for adhesives,the potential of Spence Silver's unsticky glue was initially viewed as a "useless configuration of chemicals" due to traditional assumptions.To combat the conceptual block of commitment,unconventional applications,such as a better bookmark and scratch paper,had to be visualized.

Question 29

The problem is that sales are low.The sales manager accepted responsibility and said it was his fault that sales were low.Thus,he proposed offering rebates next month to stimulate sales.Rebates have never been offered in the company before,and the impact rebates may have on sales in the future is unknown.Other alternatives have been offered.Should this rebate idea be implemented as-is?

A)Yes
B)No,it hasn't been determined whose problem this is.
C)No,the idea has only come from one person.
D)No,long-term consequences have not been considered.

Question 30

One way for a manager to foster creativity would be to pull an individual apart from others and give him space to work alone on a problem or idea.

Question 31

The principle of compression is a key technique to unlocking an individual's creative potential.

Question 32

The stage of creative problem solving that is defined by mostly unconscious mental activity in which the mind combines unrelated thoughts in pursuit of a solution is the illumination stage.

Question 33

The outcome is predictable,you have sufficient information,and the means-ends connections are clear.You should utilize a creative problem-solving approach.

Question 34

Particularistic cultures have more of a tendency toward creative solution finding.

Question 35

Brainstorming is only effective when it occurs in a group setting.

Question 36

One major difference between effective,creative problem solvers and other people is that creative problem solvers are less constrained in both defining the problem and developing solutions.

Question 37

The rule breaker is an important role for a manager to assign to foster creativity.

Question 38

This problem-solving style occurs less frequently but often separates career successes from career failures.What does this problem-solving style focus on?

A)Analytical problem solving
B)Creative problem solving
C)Managerial problem solving
D)Strategic thinking

Question 39

Your team has experienced an increase in absenteeism in the past six weeks.In the meeting to define the problem,George recommends that personal leave days be abolished.The group ignores that suggestion but instead decides to fire all employees who are absent starting Monday.What went wrong in the decision-making process?

A)The first acceptable solution was accepted.
B)The problem was stated as part of the solution.
C)The problem was stated too explicitly.
D)The information about the problem was based on speculation.

Question 40

Thinking contradictory thoughts at the same time relates to reversing the definition of a problem.

Question 41

Which type of creativity focuses on new,revolutionary solutions to problems?

A)Imagination
B)Improvement
C)Investment
D)Incubation

Question 42

Which type of creativity emphasizes developmental and deliberate responses to problems?

A)Imagination
B)Investment
C)Incubation

Question 43

Your group has agreed to do a skit as part of its presentation to the class.Bob believes a "Baywatch" skit with everyone wearing swimsuits would liven up the presentation.Someone in the group remarked,"What a stupid idea!" What step in the analytical problem-solving method is violated by this response?

A)Define the problem
B)Generate alternative solutions
C)Evaluate and select an alternative
D)Implement and follow up

Question 44

Which is the most appropriate approach to creativity when collective effort and involvement of others is important?

A)Imagination
B)Improvement
C)Investment
D)Incubation

Question 45

Which is the most appropriate approach to creativity when incremental changes and tightening up processes are necessary?

A)Imagination
B)Improvement
C)Investment
D)Incubation

Question 46

How both Velcro and Post-it Notes came to be produced is an excellent example of which problem-solving model?

A)Analytical problem solving
B)Creative problem solving

Question 47

You have a problem that is both complex and very ambiguous.In looking for a creative solution,who should you talk to?

A)A person who has a Ph.D.in a topic that is related to the problem
B)A person who has many years of experience in dealing with similar problems
C)A person who has neither the knowledge nor the experience of this particular problem and who employs logic that seems unorganized
D)Both the person with the Ph.D.and the person with many years of experience

Question 48

Which should you do when evaluating alternatives?

A)Evaluate alternatives relative to a satisfactory standard
B)Evaluate alternatives in an unstructured and creative manner
C)Evaluate alternatives based on what will work
D)Evaluate alternatives in terms of individual preferences and organizational goals

Question 49

In evaluating alternatives,individuals should make sure that alternatives are judged in terms of (1)their probable effects, (2)whether individuals involved will accept the alternative,and (3)the consistency with policies of the organization.Which points are correct?

A)All three points are correct.
B)Points 1 and 2 are correct.
C)Points 1 and 3 are correct.
D)Points 2 and 3 are correct.

Question 50

You are a manager who would like to enhance the creative problem-solving abilities of your employees.What should you do?

A)Increase their formal education
B)Improve their thinking skills
C)Improve their interpersonal skills
D)Improve their exposure to information

Question 51

Your group has a presentation to the class in two weeks.Moe believes that the presentation should be similar to a presentation he gave in his Marketing class last semester.Curly wants it to be similar to his Finance presentation that his group gave earlier this month.Larry believes that the presentation should be like the first group,after all they received an A.You think,what a bunch of stooges.Which guideline did your group violate in regard to the analytical problem-solving model?

A)Problems should not be defined in terms of solutions.
B)Limited information should be given about each alternative.
C)The first acceptable alternative should not be accepted right away.
D)Alternatives should not be based on what was successful in the past.

Question 52

What is accomplished by implementing a solution incrementally?

A)Decreases resistance by others to the solution
B)Increases the overall or total costs
C)Creates support with only a few people at a time
D)Helps give people a break during implementation

Question 53

Your boss states,"Conceptual blocks are easy to overcome.Also,everyone develops some conceptual blocks over time and we need some to cope with everyday life." Should you agree or disagree?

A)Agree
B)Disagree

Question 54

If you are replacing the copier in the office,which problem-solving style would be most appropriate?

A)Analytical problem solving
B)Creative problem solving
C)Neither analytical nor creative problem solving

Question 55

In fulfilling President Kennedy's challenge to send a man to the moon and bring him back safely by the end of the decade,which problem-solving model was probably utilized?

A)Creative problem solving
B)Analytical problem solving
C)Neither of the above answer choices is correct.

Question 56

Which attributes should be included in effective implementation of a solution and follow up on the implementation?

A)Setting up an optimal standard for evaluation of alternatives
B)Creating alternatives that are consistent with organizational goals
C)Evaluating alternatives systematically
D)Providing a process that includes opportunities for feedback

Question 57

When relevant information is available,when a clear standard exists to assess the correctness of a solution,and the problem is straightforward,which decision model should be used?

A)Analytical problem solving
B)Creative problem solving
C)Neither the analytical nor creative problem-solving model
D)Both the analytical and creative problem-solving models

Question 58

Which type of creativity focuses on fast,competitive responses to problems?

A)Imagination
B)Improvement
C)Investment
D)Incubation

Question 59

Your boss remarks to you that "decision making is concerned with the discovery and selection of satisfactory alternatives." What would be the best response to your boss?

A)"No,I believe decision making is concerned with proper problem definition."
B)"No,I believe decision making is concerned with the generation of alternatives."
C)"No,I believe decision making is concerned with the discovery and selection of optimal alternatives."
D)"Yes,I agree."

Question 60

You have a problem that is both complex and very ambiguous.In looking for a creative solution,what would be best for you to do?

A)Think simply about generating alternatives.
B)Clearly define the problem.
C)Consider multiple approaches to creativity.
D)Assign one person to work alone and solve the problem.

Question 61

The following statements relate to the rules governing brainstorming: (1)No evaluations of alternatives are generated, (2)Wildest possible ideas are encouraged, (3)Quality takes precedence over quantity,and (4)Do not build on the ideas of others.Which statements are correct?

A)All the statements are correct.
B)Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
C)Only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
D)Only statement 3 is correct.
E)Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Question 62

If your boss said,"Managing people is like playing a game of chess," this would be an example of what?

A)The creative stage of preparation
B)The creative stage of incubation
C)The creative stage of illumination
D)The creative stage of verification

Question 63

Ms.Frizzle on the "Magic School Bus" encourages her students to try,to experiment-just to see what will happen.She encourages them to be risk takers.She is trying to overcome which conceptual block?

A)Noninquisitiveness
B)Bias against thinking
C)Compression
D)Ignoring commonalities

Question 64

In describing a new problem you are having with your computer,your boss interrupts and states,"I had the same problem last week.It's something to do with the network." Which conceptual block could be inhibiting your boss's creative problem-solving approach?

A)Vertical thinking
B)Artificial constraints
C)Stereotyping
D)Ignoring commonalities

Question 65

Which is true about creative problem solving?

A)It is a skill that can be taught.
B)It is quick and easy to learn to become a creative problem solver.
C)It is always better than analytical problem solving.
D)It is something that only certain people can learn.

Question 66

If you assume that individuals who are experienced in launching a new product know the best marketing approach,which conceptual block are you practicing?

A)Vertical thinking
B)Stereotyping
C)Compression
D)Ignoring commonalities

Question 67

What stage of creative problem solving can training most improve?

A)Preparation stage
B)Incubation stage
C)Illumination stage
D)Verification stage
E)All of the stages

Question 68

What is your boss trying to do in terms of creative problem solving if he asks the following questions: Is there anything else? Is the reverse true? and What past experience is this like?

A)Reverse the definition
B)Generate more alternatives
C)Elaborate on the definition
D)Use a fantasy analogy

Question 69

If your boss encourages your team to ask questions and obtain and search for data,she is trying to overcome which conceptual block?

A)Bias against thinking
B)Noninquisitiveness
C)Separating figure from ground
D)Compression

Question 70

If you have trouble determining the difference between important and unimportant data,you are experiencing which conceptual block?

A)Artificial constraints
B)Ignoring commonalities
C)Separating figure from ground
D)Noninquisitiveness

Question 71

Your boss states,"Morale here is like the loser's locker room after a big game." He has used which technique to improve creative problem solving?

A)Make the strange familiar
B)Reverse the definition
C)Elaborate on the definition
D)Direct analogy

Question 72

When an individual becomes consistent in how he/she approaches problems,he/she is practicing which conceptual block?

A)Commitment
B)Compression
C)Constancy
D)Complacency

Question 73

What stage of creative problem solving occurs when an insight is recognized and a creative solution is articulated?

A)Preparation stage
B)Illumination stage
C)Incubation stage
D)Verification stage

Question 74

Looking too narrowly at a problem is what type of conceptual block?

A)Constancy
B)Compression
C)Commitment
D)Complacency

Question 75

What is an example of a thinking language that is capable of breaking down the constancy block?

A)Foreign language
B)Observation and evaluation
C)Visual imagery
D)Alternative generation

Question 76

According to research,which would creative problem solvers use?

A)The left hemisphere of the brain
B)The right hemisphere of the brain
C)Both the left and right hemispheres of the brain
D)Thinking and behavior

Question 77

In trying to eliminate the long lines in student registration,Susan diagrammed a student's action indicating who she talked to,when,and how long.What would this be an example of?

A)Personal analogy
B)Direct analogy
C)Symbolic analogy
D)Fantasy analogy

Question 78

Amber had been struggling to come up with a creative idea for her marketing proposal for weeks.Frustrated,she decided to leave her office and go for a hike in the mountains to clear her mind.She enjoyed taking in her natural surroundings and thought little about her work.When she arrived back at the office,she suddenly had a promising new idea occur to her.In what phase of creative decision making was Amber during her hike in the mountains?

A)Preparation
B)Incubation
C)Illumination
D)Verification

Question 79

In studying for a test,Harry always highlights passages in his textbooks and reviews the highlighted sections.Recently,in his Management class,Harry did not receive a good grade on his first exam.Sally suggested that Harry try studying a different way by writing down the highlighted passages on paper.Harry refused,saying,"It has always worked before,why change?" Which conceptual block is Harry experiencing?

A)Constancy
B)Artificial constraint
C)Compression
D)Complacency

Question 80

If someone believes that the possible alternatives to a problem must conform with her perception of the boss's expectations,which conceptual block is she a victim of?

A)Perceptual stereotyping
B)Not separating figure from ground
C)Ignoring commonalities
D)Artificial constraints