Question 1

Harriet purchases a cupboard for her kitchen. She assembles the cupboard by following a series of steps illustrated in the instruction manual. Which type of problem-solving strategy has Harriet adopted?
A) algorithmic
B) heuristic
C) multitasking
D) intuitive

Accepted Answer

Harriet is following a series of specific steps to solve the problem of assembling the cupboard, which fits the definition of an algorithmic problem-solving strategy.

Question 2

________ refers to mental inflexibility, inertia, and obliviousness to the present context.
A) Implicit learning
B) Multitasking
C) Automatic processing
D) Mindlessness

Accepted Answer

The definition provided best matches the concept of mindlessness, as it refers to a lack of awareness and responsiveness to the current situation, often as a result of habitual and automatic modes of thinking and behaving. Implicit learning, multitasking, and automatic processing may all contribute to mindlessness, but do not capture the full range of characteristics involved in this concept.

Question 3

Prereflective thinkers tend to assume that:
A) some things can never be known with certainty.
B) all opinions are created equal.
C) a correct answer always exists.
D) some judgments are more valid than others.

Accepted Answer

Prereflective thinkers often believe that there is a correct answer to every question, even if they do not know what it is. They tend to rely on authority figures or personal beliefs rather than evidence or reasoning.

Question 4

Dialectical reasoning involves:
A) comparing and evaluating opposing points of view in order to determine the best solution.
B) drawing conclusions from a set of observations or premises.
C) generalizing from past experience.
D) using an algorithm to solve a problem.

Accepted Answer

Dialectical reasoning is a type of reasoning that involves comparing and evaluating opposing points of view in order to determine the best solution. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B refers to deductive reasoning, option C refers to inductive reasoning, and option D refers to algorithmic reasoning.

Question 5

________ thinkers generally assume that a correct answer always exists to problems and can be obtained through the senses or from authorities.
A) Prereflective
B) Quasi-reflective
C) Semi-reflective
D) Reflective

Accepted Answer

Prereflective thinkers rely on what they can see or what authorities tell them, and believe that there is a correct answer to every problem. They have not yet developed the ability to reflect on their own thinking or consider other perspectives.

Question 6

Informal reasoning involves:
A) using algorithms.
B) finding a single correct answer.
C) nonconscious responding.
D) dialectical reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Informal reasoning involves evaluating and weighing different pieces of evidence, considering multiple perspectives and opinions, and engaging in dialectical reasoning to arrive at a conclusion. It is a flexible and creative process that does not rely on a formulaic approach or a single correct answer.

Question 7

Catherine's grandmother says that if Catherine follows the family's traditional recipe for Irish soda bread exactly, then she is sure to have very good results. Catherine's grandmother is encouraging her granddaughter to:
A) engage in dialectical thinking.
B) make use of her family's tacit knowledge.
C) use an algorithm.
D) rely upon a heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Catherine's grandmother says that if Catherine follows...

Question 8

A quasi-reflective thinker would be most likely to say that:
A) because knowledge is uncertain, any judgment about the evidence is purely subjective.
B) a correct answer exists for every problem.
C) some judgments are more valid than others due to their logical consistency.
D) decisions should be based solely upon what you can see with your own two eyes.

Accepted Answer

Quasi-reflective thinkers recognize that knowledge is uncertain and subjective, often leading them to believe that judgments about evidence are purely subjective.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true of formal reasoning?
A) In formal reasoning, the information needed for drawing a conclusion or reaching a solution is specified clearly.
B) In formal reasoning, many approaches, viewpoints, or possible solutions may compete, and you may have to decide which one is most "reasonable."
C) Formal reasoning involves dialectical reasoning.
D) Formal reasoning uses heuristics, or rules of thumb, to try to reach a solution.

Accepted Answer

Formal reasoning is a process of drawing conclusions or solving problems using logical rules and a clear system of information. It involves following specific rules or procedures to arrive at a solution or conclusion. This contrasts with informal reasoning, in which there may be multiple possible solutions or approaches and information is not always clearly defined.

Question 10

Which statement is true about the mindless processing of information?
A) We would be better off if we eliminated mindlessness completely from our lives.
B) It is usually the best way to perform a task, because it allows us to operate on "automatic pilot."
C) It has little effect on behavior because the processing goes on outside of awareness.
D) It has benefits, but also can lead to mishaps and serious errors.

Accepted Answer

Mindless processing of information has benefits in terms of freeing up cognitive resources for more important tasks, but it can also lead to mishaps and serious errors if we rely on it too heavily. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A and B are incorrect because mindlessness is not always bad, and it can be useful in many situations. Option C is incorrect because mindlessness can have an effect on behavior, even though the processing is outside of awareness.

Question 11

The process of drawing conclusions or inferences from facts, observations, or assumptions is called:
A) reasoning.
B) framing.
C) reflective judgment.
D) prereflective thinking.

Accepted Answer

Reasoning is the process of drawing conclusions or inferences from facts, observations, or assumptions. Framing refers to how information is presented, reflective judgment is a specific stage of cognitive development, and prereflective thinking refers to thinking that is not yet reflective or critical.

Question 12

DeAndre and eleven others jurors are chosen for a major court case. As foreperson, it will be DeAndre's responsibility to make sure that, when the jury begins deliberating, they consider arguments for and against the defendant's guilt. This method of deliberation is an example of:
A) contextual intelligence.
B) dialectical reasoning.
C) formal reasoning.
D) inductive reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Dialectical reasoning involves considering opposing arguments and coming to a conclusion based on a synthesis of both perspectives. This is exactly what DeAndre will be responsible for as the foreperson of the jury. Contextual intelligence involves understanding and navigating social situations, which is not directly related to the deliberation process. Formal reasoning refers to the use of logic and deductive reasoning, which may be used in the courtroom but is not specific to the jury's deliberation process. Inductive reasoning involves drawing conclusions based on specific observations or patterns, which is not necessarily the approach taken in jury deliberations.

Question 13

_____________ is usually the best approach to problems that have several possible answers that vary in quality.
A) Formal reasoning
B) Informal reasoning
C) Using an algorithm
D) Choosing a solution randomly

Accepted Answer

Informal reasoning allows for flexibility and the consideration of multiple factors, which is ideal for problems with several possible answers that vary in quality. Formal reasoning and algorithms may not be appropriate for such situations, and choosing a solution randomly is not a reliable approach.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is generally true for people capable of reflective judgment?
A) They are willing to consider evidence from a variety of sources and to reason dialectically.
B) They tend to assume that a correct answer always exists and that it can be obtained directly through the senses or from authorities.
C) They think that all opinions are created equal.
D) They do not distinguish between knowledge and belief or between belief and evidence, and they see no reason to justify a belief.

Accepted Answer

People capable of reflective judgment are willing to consider evidence from a variety of sources and to reason dialectically, meaning they can consider and evaluate multiple perspectives before coming to a conclusion. This is considered a higher level of reasoning compared to simply relying on sensory information or authoritative sources. Choices B, C, and D are not generally true for people capable of reflective judgment.

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of formal reasoning?
A) The information needed to solve the problem may be unclear or missing.
B) There is typically one correct answer.
C) You often need to decide which of the many possible solutions is the most "reasonable."
D) It is a type of nonconscious responding.

Accepted Answer

Formal reasoning involves following a set of logical rules to arrive at a correct answer or solution. These rules dictate that there is typically only one correct answer to a given problem or question.

Question 16

Jerome Kagan likens consciousness to the staff of a fire department because:
A) most of the time it is making critical decisions about the events of the day.
B) it is almost always "on the road" looking for relevant information to be used to decipher unexpected situations.
C) most of the time it is quietly playing cards in the back room and it is called into action only when the alarm sounds.
D) it is almost always alert and attentive, ready to respond to any type of emergency.

Accepted Answer

Jerome Kagan uses this analogy to illustrate that consciousness, like a fire department staff not actively fighting a fire, is often in a resting state and springs into action primarily in response to specific, significant stimuli or situations that require immediate attention.

Question 17

People who are ________ thinkers generally understand that some things can never be known with certainty, but they also understand that some judgments are more valid than others.
A) prereflective
B) quasi-reflective
C) semi-reflective
D) reflective

Accepted Answer

Reflective thinkers are individuals who have developed a level of awareness about their own thought processes and can evaluate their own beliefs and assumptions. They understand that while some things cannot be known with certainty, some judgments are more valid than others. Therefore, reflective thinking is the most appropriate choice to complete the sentence. The other options do not reflect the level of awareness and ability to evaluate judgments that reflective thinking entails.

Question 18

Diana and Erin are not able to figure out how they can fit two cupboards, a futon, a computer, and a refrigerator into their small dorm room. Just when it seems hopeless, Erin says, "Aha, I've got it!" and begins moving the items around. Erin's sudden revelation is most likely due to:
A) simplifying the process by imagining a prototype of a college dorm room and then making a decision based on the prototype.
B) clues that triggered nonconscious processing about the room arrangement followed by conscious awareness of the solution.
C) subconscious processing and automatic routines that she has learned so that she can perform them without thinking.
D) the ability to multitask in an efficient manner.

Accepted Answer

Erin's sudden revelation suggests that she unconsciously processed information about the room arrangement before consciously becoming aware of the solution. This is an example of the incubation stage of problem-solving, where the brain continues to process information even when the person is not actively thinking about the problem. Therefore, Option B is the best choice.

Question 19

Marylou is making her famous chili. Instead of measuring the amount of chopped peppers to add, she knows that a handful is "usually about right." This illustrates the use of a(n):
A) heuristic.
B) prototype.
C) algorithm.
D) mental image.

Accepted Answer

Marylou is using a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that allows her to make a quick decision or solve a problem without extensive thinking or analysis. In this case, her heuristic is using her subjective estimate of a "handful" instead of measuring the exact amount of chopped peppers.

Question 20

The process in which opposing facts are weighed and compared to determine the best solution is called:
A) contextual intelligence.
B) factor analysis.
C) dialectical reasoning.
D) justification of effort.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question, in which opposing facts are weighed and compared to determine the best solution, is called dialectical reasoning. Contextual intelligence refers to the ability to understand and adapt to different cultural and social situations. Factor analysis is a statistical method used to explore relationships among variables. Justification of effort is a cognitive bias that occurs when people value something more highly just because they put effort into obtaining it.

Quiz 9: Thinking and Intelligence

Harriet purchases a cupboard for her kitchen. She assembles the cupboard by following a series of steps illustrated in the instruction manual. Which type of problem-solving strategy has Harriet adopted?

________ refers to mental inflexibility, inertia, and obliviousness to the present context.

Prereflective thinkers tend to assume that:

Dialectical reasoning involves:

________ thinkers generally assume that a correct answer always exists to problems and can be obtained through the senses or from authorities.

Informal reasoning involves:

Catherine's grandmother says that if Catherine follows the family's traditional recipe for Irish soda bread exactly, then she is sure to have very good results. Catherine's grandmother is encouraging her granddaughter to:

A quasi-reflective thinker would be most likely to say that:

Which of the following statements is true of formal reasoning?

Which statement is true about the mindless processing of information?

The process of drawing conclusions or inferences from facts, observations, or assumptions is called:

DeAndre and eleven others jurors are chosen for a major court case. As foreperson, it will be DeAndre's responsibility to make sure that, when the jury begins deliberating, they consider arguments for and against the defendant's guilt. This method of deliberation is an example of:

_____________ is usually the best approach to problems that have several possible answers that vary in quality.

Which of the following statements is generally true for people capable of reflective judgment?

Which of the following is a characteristic of formal reasoning?

Jerome Kagan likens consciousness to the staff of a fire department because:

People who are ________ thinkers generally understand that some things can never be known with certainty, but they also understand that some judgments are more valid than others.

Diana and Erin are not able to figure out how they can fit two cupboards, a futon, a computer, and a refrigerator into their small dorm room. Just when it seems hopeless, Erin says, "Aha, I've got it!" and begins moving the items around. Erin's sudden revelation is most likely due to:

Marylou is making her famous chili. Instead of measuring the amount of chopped peppers to add, she knows that a handful is "usually about right." This illustrates the use of a(n) :

The process in which opposing facts are weighed and compared to determine the best solution is called: