Question 1

Amanda is on a strict diet that allows her exactly 800 calories a day. Which of the following strategies is most likely to help her succeed in her goal?
A) hill climbing
B) working backward
C) creating subgoals
D) an algorithm

Accepted Answer

The answer of Amanda is on a strict diet that...

Question 2

Maureen is completing a chemistry project that must be written up using the metric system (i.e., milliliters), but her beaker is scaled in ounces. The best solution strategy for her problem involves a(n) ________.
A) compensatory model
B) algorithm
C) heuristic
D) subgoal

Accepted Answer

The answer of Maureen is completing a chemistry project that...

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of heuristic?
A) creating subgoals
B) hill climbing
C) working backward
D) an algorithm

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution to a problem, whereas heuristics are general problem-solving strategies that may or may not guarantee a solution, but are often used to simplify complex problems and make them more manageable. Therefore, an algorithm is not considered a type of heuristic. Choices A, B, and C are all examples of heuristics.

Question 4

Gary is assigned to write a history paper. Instead of writing it all in one sitting, he breaks the assignment up into a series of separate tasks that include choosing a topic, doing the research, preparing an outline, writing the first draft, editing, etc. His strategy is best described as ________.
A) hill climbing
B) using algorithms
C) creating subgoals
D) means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

Gary's strategy of breaking up the assignment into separate tasks and creating subgoals reflects the use of subgoal analysis as a problem-solving strategy.

Question 5

A heuristic strategy that combines hill climbing and subgoals is ________.
A) information retrieval
B) working backward
C) trial and error
D) means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

Hill climbing involves choosing the best option at each step, while means-end analysis involves breaking down the problem into subgoals and finding ways to reduce the distance between the current state and the goal state. Using both strategies together can lead to more efficient problem-solving by identifying the best option while also creating a roadmap for achieving the ultimate goal. Information retrieval and trial and error are not applicable here. Working backward involves starting from the goal state and working towards the initial state, which is a separate strategy from hill climbing and means-end analysis.

Question 6

The process of moving continuously closer to a final goal without ever digressing or going backward is ________.
A) hill climbing
B) stepwise incrimination
C) functional fixedness
D) subgoal activation

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is hill climbing. This term refers to the process of continually making small steps or improvements toward a final goal without any backward or regressive movement. It is a common problem-solving strategy used in various fields, including engineering, computer science, and mathematics. The other options provided (stepwise incrimination, functional fixedness, and subgoal activation) do not accurately describe this process.

Question 7

A strategy in which the search for a solution starts at the goal and works toward the givens is called ________.
A) working backward
B) regression toward the mean
C) a problem-solving set
D) means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

Working backward is a problem-solving strategy in which one starts with the goal and works backward toward the givens. This strategy can be useful in complex problems where the solution is not immediately obvious. The other options, regression toward the mean, problem-solving set, and means-end analysis, are not correct descriptions of this particular strategy.

Question 8

Rules of thumb that do not guarantee a solution but may help bring one within reach are called ________.
A) algorithms
B) functional sets
C) heuristics
D) problem states

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are general problem-solving strategies that can help guide problem-solving efforts, but they do not guarantee a solution. The other options, algorithms and functional sets, follow a specific set of rules to produce a solution, while problem states refers to the initial conditions and constraints of a problem.

Question 9

In taking a multiple-choice test, you first read the question and try to develop an answer. Then you check to see if your answer is one of the choices. If it's not, you try to eliminate any obviously wrong alternatives, and finally try to find the best answer from among those that remain. This problem-solving strategy is an example of ________.
A) top-down processing
B) an algorithm
C) functional fixedness
D) a heuristic

Accepted Answer

The problem-solving strategy described is a heuristic, which involves using a general rule-of-thumb or shortcut to arrive at a solution. It is not a top-down approach (A) where one starts with a general concept and narrows it down, nor is it an algorithm (B) which is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. Functional fixedness (C) refers to the tendency to perceive an object only in terms of its familiar use or function, and is not related to this particular problem-solving strategy.

Question 10

A strategy that involves analyzing the difference between the current situation and the desired goal, and then reducing the discrepancy, is called ________.
A) creating subgoals
B) means-end analysis
C) a problem-solving set
D) compensatory modeling

Accepted Answer

Means-end analysis involves breaking down the problem into smaller steps or subgoals, and finding ways to reduce the difference between the current situation and the desired outcome. This is a common problem-solving strategy used in various fields, including psychology, engineering, and management. Option A, creating subgoals, is a specific step within means-end analysis, while option C (problem-solving set) and option D (compensatory modeling) are not related to this strategy.

Question 11

A heuristic in which a problem is divided into smaller, more manageable units is known as ________.
A) creating subgoals
B) categorizing options
C) evaluating solutions
D) working backward

Accepted Answer

Dividing a problem into smaller, more manageable units is the process of creating subgoals, making choice A the correct answer. Categorizing options refers to organizing alternatives into groups based on their similarities, evaluating solutions involves the process of assessing the effectiveness of potential solutions, and working backward involves starting at the end goal and determining the steps necessary to reach it. None of these processes involve dividing the problem into smaller parts.

Question 12

Which of the following is the best example of hill climbing?
A) playing roulette at a casino without keeping track of your winnings or your losses
B) working out a solution to a puzzle game
C) constructing a model airplane
D) spending $100 impulsively while shopping

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the best...

Question 13

An algorithm is a ________.
A) noncompensatory decision-making model
B) "rule of thumb" that helps to simplify a problem
C) classification that permits generalization and discrimination among objects
D) problem-solving method that, if appropriate, guarantees a solution

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a problem-solving method that, if appropriate, guarantees a solution. It is a set of well-defined instructions for solving a problem or achieving a specific outcome.

Question 14

Ken knows that the radius of a circle is 5 feet, but he needs to calculate the diameter. The most effective solution strategy he can use involves a(n) ________.
A) heuristic
B) algorithm
C) noncompensatory model
D) means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step process to solve a problem, guaranteed to produce a correct solution. In this case, the formula for calculating the diameter of a circle given the radius is a well-known and established algorithm, making it the most effective solution strategy.

Question 15

A problem-solving strategy that requires only the accessing of information from long-term memory is ________.
A) information retrieval
B) heuristics
C) trial and error
D) hill-climbing

Accepted Answer

Information retrieval strategy involves accessing information from long-term memory to solve a problem. The other strategies mentioned, such as heuristics, trial and error, and hill-climbing, require some form of trial and error, decision-making, or exploration in addition to accessing information from long-term memory.

Question 16

Your car is not operating correctly. The mechanic opens the hood and says "We've been seeing lots of cars recently with fouled plugs or dirty fuel filters. Let's start there and see if that's your problem, too." The mechanic is using a(n) ________.
A) compensatory decision model
B) heuristic
C) algorithm
D) noncompensatory decision model

Accepted Answer

The mechanic is using a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut used to simplify decision making. He is not following a strict algorithm or noncompensatory decision model, which would involve a rigorous step-by-step process. The mechanic is also not using a compensatory decision model, which involves weighing pros and cons of various options.

Question 17

An example of an algorithm is a ________.
A) compensatory model
B) linguistic elaboration
C) mathematical formula
D) "nim" game

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or completing a task, and a mathematical formula is a specific type of algorithm that involves mathematical operations. The other choices are not necessarily algorithms - a compensatory model and linguistic elaboration are both vague concepts that could involve different methods, and "nim" game is a specific game rather than a general problem-solving procedure.

Question 18

Which of the following is a type of heuristic?
A) hill climbing
B) an algorithm
C) information retrieval
D) trial and error

Accepted Answer

Hill climbing is a type of heuristic that involves iteratively moving to a neighboring solution that improves the objective function.

Question 19

Problem-solving methods that guarantee solutions if appropriate and properly executed are called ________.
A) algorithms
B) prototypes
C) heuristics
D) noncompensatory models

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are problem-solving methods that follow a specific set of steps or rules to guarantee a solution if executed properly. Prototypes are preliminary versions of a product or idea. Heuristics are problem-solving methods that are based on trial and error or using past experiences to guide decision making. Noncompensatory models are decision-making models that eliminate options that do not meet certain criteria, but do not guarantee a solution.

Question 20

Hill climbing is inappropriate in solving a problem requiring ________.
A) the use of heuristics
B) the creation of subgoals
C) eliminating incorrect alternatives
D) digressing in order to make ultimate progress

Accepted Answer

Hill climbing is a heuristic search algorithm that tries to maximize or minimize a function by incrementally adjusting a candidate solution. It only considers the immediate neighbor solutions in the search space and does not create subgoals or eliminate incorrect alternatives. It also does not digress in order to make ultimate progress, which is often necessary in more complex problems. Therefore, D is the most appropriate answer.

Quiz 7: Cognition and Mental Abilities

Amanda is on a strict diet that allows her exactly 800 calories a day. Which of the following strategies is most likely to help her succeed in her goal?

Maureen is completing a chemistry project that must be written up using the metric system (i.e., milliliters) , but her beaker is scaled in ounces. The best solution strategy for her problem involves a(n) ________.

Which of the following is not a type of heuristic?

Gary is assigned to write a history paper. Instead of writing it all in one sitting, he breaks the assignment up into a series of separate tasks that include choosing a topic, doing the research, preparing an outline, writing the first draft, editing, etc. His strategy is best described as ________.

A heuristic strategy that combines hill climbing and subgoals is ________.

The process of moving continuously closer to a final goal without ever digressing or going backward is ________.

A strategy in which the search for a solution starts at the goal and works toward the givens is called ________.

Rules of thumb that do not guarantee a solution but may help bring one within reach are called ________.

A strategy that involves analyzing the difference between the current situation and the desired goal, and then reducing the discrepancy, is called ________.

A heuristic in which a problem is divided into smaller, more manageable units is known as ________.

Which of the following is the best example of hill climbing?

An algorithm is a ________.

Ken knows that the radius of a circle is 5 feet, but he needs to calculate the diameter. The most effective solution strategy he can use involves a(n) ________.

A problem-solving strategy that requires only the accessing of information from long-term memory is ________.

Your car is not operating correctly. The mechanic opens the hood and says "We've been seeing lots of cars recently with fouled plugs or dirty fuel filters. Let's start there and see if that's your problem, too." The mechanic is using a(n) ________.

An example of an algorithm is a ________.

Which of the following is a type of heuristic?

Problem-solving methods that guarantee solutions if appropriate and properly executed are called ________.

Hill climbing is inappropriate in solving a problem requiring ________.