Question 1

In which of the following approaches to problem-solving do you try various different responses until one will work?
A) trial-and-error
B) heuristic
C) analogy
D) algorithm

Accepted Answer

In trial-and-error approach, different responses are tried until one will work. Heuristic involves using a mental shortcut or rule of thumb. Analogy involves using a similar situation from the past to solve a current problem. Algorithm follows a set of established steps to solve a problem.

Question 2

Suppose you cannot find your psychology text. You generate a list of places you may have left it and then search them. Your problem-solving strategy is
A) a positive test strategy.
B) a heuristic.
C) an algorithm.
D) trial-and-error.

Accepted Answer

The strategy of generating a list of possible locations and searching them is a heuristic, a general problem-solving strategy that does not guarantee a solution but helps narrow down the options.

Question 3

Some psychologists suggest that humans use ________ decision-making processes which involves examining all possible alternatives and then choosing the one that is most beneficial.
A) heuristic
B) systemic
C) representational
D) elimination by aspects

Accepted Answer

Systemic decision-making processes involve considering all possible alternatives and then evaluating them based on the criteria of what is most beneficial or advantageous. This approach is generally considered to be the most rational and logical way of making decisions, as it involves weighing all available options before making a choice. Other decision-making processes, such as heuristic approaches, may rely on more simplified or intuitive methods of decision-making that do not necessarily involve considering all possible alternatives.

Question 4

Psychologists define ________ as the process of considering alternatives and choosing among them.
A) hermeneutics
B) systemic cognition
C) problem solving
D) decision making

Accepted Answer

The definition provided best fits the concept of decision making, which involves evaluating various options and selecting one course of action. Option A, hermeneutics, refers to the interpretation of texts and Option B, systemic cognition, refers to the study of how information is processed in complex systems. Option C, problem solving, is closely related to decision making, but specifically involves addressing an issue or challenge.

Question 5

Which of the following approaches suggests that concepts are represented by individual instances that we have stored in memory from our own experience?
A) the prototype approach
B) the systematic or formal approach
C) the positive and negative instance approach
D) the exemplar approach

Accepted Answer

The exemplar approach suggests that concepts are represented by individual instances that we have stored in memory from our own experience. These individual instances, or exemplars, are used to form prototypes or generalizations about the concept.

Question 6

________ refers to the way in which information is presented to people involved in decision making. Information can be presented in such a way that it changes the focus of the decision-making process.
A) Framing
B) Prejudicing
C) Anchoring
D) Systematic presentation

Accepted Answer

Framing refers to presenting information in a way that highlights certain aspects and downplays others, ultimately influencing the decision-making process. It can change the way individuals perceive risks and benefits, leading to different choices even with the same information. Prejudicing (B) implies a biased opinion, which is not necessarily related to the presentation of information to decision-makers. Anchoring (C) refers to the tendency to rely too heavily on the first information received when making a decision, and systematic presentation (D) relates to the organization and clarity of information, but not to how it is framed.

Question 7

Efficiency is to certainty of success as
A) trial-and-error is to prototype.
B) prototype is to trial-and-error.
C) algorithm is to heuristic.
D) heuristic is to algorithm.

Accepted Answer

Heuristic approaches are generally less certain to find the optimal solution compared to algorithms, which are designed to find solutions with a high degree of certainty. This mirrors the relationship between efficiency (doing things in an optimal way) and certainty of success.

Question 8

Carol is trying to decide which college to attend next semester. She first eliminates those that are too far from home for her to be able to visit her family and friends on the weekend. The decision-making strategy demonstrated here is
A) heuristic systematic decision-making process.
B) elimination by aspects
C) the representativeness heuristic
D) the recognition heuristic

Accepted Answer

The decision-making strategy demonstrated here is elimination by aspects, which involves eliminating options based on specific criteria or aspects. In this case, Carol is eliminating colleges based on the aspect of distance from home. This is a systematic process of elimination rather than relying on heuristics like representativeness or recognition.

Question 9

Which of the following, if properly applied, is guaranteed to result in a solution to a problem?
A) applying prior knowledge
B) a heuristic
C) trial and error
D) an algorithm

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem. If followed correctly, it is guaranteed to result in a solution. The other options may or may not lead to a solution and can be dependent on chance or personal circumstances.

Question 10

Robert cannot remember the last two digits of his email password. He decides to try every possible combination, one at a time, until the correct digits are found. Which problem solving-strategy is Robert using?
A) algorithms
B) means-ends analysis
C) heuristics
D) trial-and-error

Accepted Answer

Robert is using trial-and-error, as he is systematically trying every possible combination until he finds the correct digits. Algorithms involve a specific set of instructions to solve a problem, means-ends analysis involves breaking a problem down into smaller sub-problems, and heuristics involve using shortcuts or rules of thumb to solve a problem.

Question 11

Danielle cannot remember the name of the Mexican restaurant where she is supposed to meet Willard. Which of the following is a heuristic problem-solving strategy for locating the right restaurant?
A) About the time they were supposed to meet, she should get in a car and drive around the city hoping to catch sight of Willard's car.
B) She should assume Willard will choose a restaurant nearest his home, and call these Mexican restaurants first to check on whether he made a reservation.
C) She should ask a Ouija board for the name of the restaurant.
D) She should call all Mexican restaurants in alphabetical order until she locates the one with Willard's reservation.

Accepted Answer

This strategy involves making an educated guess based on available information, such as assuming that Willard would choose a nearby restaurant. This is more efficient than randomly driving around or calling restaurants in alphabetical order, and less superstitious than relying on a Ouija board.

Question 12

Rules or formulas for particular problems that will eventually yield a solution are called
A) positive test strategy.
B) algorithms.
C) heuristics.
D) prototypes.

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or rules for solving a particular problem, often used in computer programming. Heuristics are general problem-solving strategies that may not always guarantee a solution. Positive test strategy and prototypes are not relevant to the definition provided.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a problem-solving technique?
A) trial-and-error
B) algorithms
C) escalation of commitment
D) heuristics

Accepted Answer

Escalation of commitment is not a problem-solving technique, but rather an irrational behavior where an individual continues to invest time, money, or resources into a failing project or course of action. A, B, and D are problem-solving techniques commonly used to find solutions to problems.

Question 14

Which of the following are examples of a heuristic?
A) using a formula, such as in math problems
B) trying one solution after another
C) exploring every possible solution
D) working backward and means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are examples of...

Question 15

Rules of thumb based on past experiences that are used to solve problems are referred to as
A) trial-and-error methods.
B) positive test strategies.
C) algorithms.
D) heuristics.

Accepted Answer

Rules of thumb based on past experiences are known as heuristics, which are often used to solve problems efficiently.

Question 16

Which problem-solving method offers a promising way to attack a problem and arrive at a solution, although it does not guarantee success?
A) algorithms
B) trial and error
C) mental set
D) heuristics

Accepted Answer

Heuristics offer a way to approach a problem by using educated guesses, rules of thumb, or common sense. While they do not guarantee success, they often lead to a solution more efficiently than trial and error or algorithms.

Question 17

During a discussion of environmental psychology, Jeff is asked to think about a house. If Jeff imagines his own home, he is using which of the following approaches to concept formation?
A) the positive and negative instance approach
B) the systematic approach
C) the formal approach
D) the exemplar approach

Accepted Answer

The exemplar approach to concept formation involves the use of specific examples or instances to form a general concept. In this case, Jeff is using his own home as a specific example to form a general concept of a house. The other approaches listed involve more systematic or formal methods for concept formation.

Question 18

May Yin is systematically ordering factors involved in a decision from most to least important. She is most likely involved in
A) heuristics.
B) systemic decision making.
C) anchoring.
D) elimination by aspects.

Accepted Answer

The answer of May Yin is systematically ordering factors involved...

Question 19

The major disadvantage of using heuristics to solve problems is that
A) no solution is guaranteed.
B) they involve so much effort.
C) they are time consuming and inefficient.
D) several solutions may be found.

Accepted Answer

The use of heuristics does not guarantee a correct solution to a problem. Heuristics are simply problem-solving strategies that are based on educated guesses and past experiences. Therefore, there is always a possibility that the heuristics may not lead to the correct solution.

Question 20

________ is the notion that focusing on a single factor magnifies the importance of that factor relative to others that are relevant to a decision.
A) Focusing
B) Framing
C) Anchoring
D) Distracting

Accepted Answer

The given notion is called Anchoring, where a person relies too heavily on an initial piece of information offered (the "anchor") when making subsequent judgments or decisions.

Quiz 7: Cognition, Language, and Intelligence

In which of the following approaches to problem-solving do you try various different responses until one will work?

Suppose you cannot find your psychology text. You generate a list of places you may have left it and then search them. Your problem-solving strategy is

Some psychologists suggest that humans use ________ decision-making processes which involves examining all possible alternatives and then choosing the one that is most beneficial.

Psychologists define ________ as the process of considering alternatives and choosing among them.

Which of the following approaches suggests that concepts are represented by individual instances that we have stored in memory from our own experience?

________ refers to the way in which information is presented to people involved in decision making. Information can be presented in such a way that it changes the focus of the decision-making process.

Efficiency is to certainty of success as

Carol is trying to decide which college to attend next semester. She first eliminates those that are too far from home for her to be able to visit her family and friends on the weekend. The decision-making strategy demonstrated here is

Which of the following, if properly applied, is guaranteed to result in a solution to a problem?

Robert cannot remember the last two digits of his email password. He decides to try every possible combination, one at a time, until the correct digits are found. Which problem solving-strategy is Robert using?

Danielle cannot remember the name of the Mexican restaurant where she is supposed to meet Willard. Which of the following is a heuristic problem-solving strategy for locating the right restaurant?

Rules or formulas for particular problems that will eventually yield a solution are called

Which of the following is not a problem-solving technique?

Which of the following are examples of a heuristic?

Rules of thumb based on past experiences that are used to solve problems are referred to as

Which problem-solving method offers a promising way to attack a problem and arrive at a solution, although it does not guarantee success?

During a discussion of environmental psychology, Jeff is asked to think about a house. If Jeff imagines his own home, he is using which of the following approaches to concept formation?

May Yin is systematically ordering factors involved in a decision from most to least important. She is most likely involved in

The major disadvantage of using heuristics to solve problems is that

________ is the notion that focusing on a single factor magnifies the importance of that factor relative to others that are relevant to a decision.