Question 1

Gillian bought one set of tools because that brand offered a $10 rebate. The tool company influenced her decision by presenting the information about the rebates. This is a strategy
Known as
A) restructuring.
B) framing.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) the representativeness heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Framing refers to the way information is presented to influence a person's decision-making process. In this case, the tool company framed their offer by highlighting the $10 rebate, which influenced Gillian's decision to purchase their product.

Question 2

Steve is trying to determine whether it will rain this Saturday. He quickly remembers that it has rained the past three Saturdays. If he uses this information to make his decision,
He will be using
A) framing.
B) insight.
C) the representativeness heuristic.
D) the availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Steve is using the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to rely on readily available information in decision-making. In this case, the information about the past three Saturdays raining is readily available to him and he is using it to make a prediction about whether it will rain this Saturday.

Question 3

The type of thinking that uses shortcuts to allow one to make a decision quickly, without considering all of the evidence, is called
A) a heuristic.
B) insight.
C) an algorithm.
D) framing.

Accepted Answer

The type of thinking that uses shortcuts to make a quick decision without considering all of the evidence is called a heuristic. A heuristic is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that we use to simplify decision making. It can be useful in some situations, but it can also lead to errors and biases. The other options are not correct because insight refers to a sudden realization or understanding, an algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, and framing refers to the way a problem or situation is presented, which can influence our perceptions and decisions.

Question 4

Josie has decided that she wants to become a doctor, but she feels overwhelmed when she thinks about how many years of school it will take to become a doctor. She could manage this
Feeling by breaking the process into smaller pieces. If she did this, she would be using
A) working backward.
B) subgoals.
C) sudden insight.
D) an analogy.

Accepted Answer

Breaking the process of becoming a doctor into smaller pieces is an example of using subgoals to make the larger goal more manageable.

Question 5

You read a description about a woman named Tyra, who happens to be extremely beautiful and almost six feet tall. You are asked to predict whether Tyra is a model or a science
Teacher. To do this, you think of your prototypes of a model and a science teacher, and you
Decide that Tyra is a model. Your reasoning may be faulty due to
A) an algorithm.
B) framing.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) the representativeness heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The reasoning used to predict that Tyra is a model is based on the representativeness heuristic, which means judging the likelihood of Tyra being a model based on the similarity of her characteristics with our prototype of a model, rather than considering other factors like her profession or interests. Therefore, the answer is D, the representativeness heuristic.

Question 6

James is trying to break into a safe, but he does not know the four-digit code. To find the right code, he uses a procedure that will obtain the right result if he uses it correctly. Specifically,
He tries every possible set of four-digit numbers until he finds the correct one. James is using
A(n) ________ to find the correct code.
A) analogy
B) mental set
C) heuristic
D) algorithm

Accepted Answer

James is using a systematic and step-by-step procedure to try out every possible four-digit code. This is a clear example of an algorithm. The other options (analogy, mental set, and heuristic) do not accurately describe James' method of attempting every possible combination.

Question 7

After struggling to solve a physics problem, you take a break for lunch. When you go back to work on the problem, the solution suddenly pops into your head. In this case you used________ to solve the problem.
A) an analogy
B) restructuring
C) insight
D) a mental set

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes the experience of insight, which is a sudden realization or understanding of a problem or solution. It often comes after a period of mental impasse or struggle, which fits with the description given in the scenario. Choice A, analogy, involves drawing comparisons between two things to gain understanding, which is not described in the scenario. Restructuring, choice B, involves reorganizing information in a different way, which also does not fit the scenario. A mental set, choice D, refers to a tendency to approach problems in the same way, which could be a hindrance to finding a solution, but again does not fit the scenario.

Question 8

You are placing a bet on an upcoming basketball game. You quickly remember that the green team has won the last three home games. If you use that information to make your decision,
You will be using
A) framing.
B) insight.
C) the representativeness heuristic.
D) the availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to a person's mind when evaluating a specific topic, concept, method, or decision. In this case, recalling the green team's recent victories because they are readily available in memory and using that information to make a betting decision exemplifies the availability heuristic.

Question 9

Using heuristics in decision making has the advantage of ________ and the disadvantage of ________.
A) requiring minimal thinking; not always working
B) not always working; requiring minimal thinking
C) always working; requiring effortful thinking
D) requiring effortful thinking; always working

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently, requiring minimal thinking. However, because they are simplifications, they do not always work in every situation, leading to biases or errors in judgment.

Question 10

When you meet Joe, he tells you that he loves math and building computers and robots. You decide that Joe must be an engineering student and not a liberal arts student, even
Though there are more liberal arts students at your school. In making this decision, you
Have just used
A) the representativeness heuristic.
B) an algorithm.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) an analogy.

Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic involves making judgments based on how well an individual or situation fits a prototype or stereotype. Assuming that someone who loves math and building computers and robots is more likely to be an engineering student than a liberal arts student fits this heuristic.

Question 11

To buy cheese, Kumiko goes to a large store with a big selection of cheeses. Nima goes to a much smaller store with only a few choices of cheeses. Who is more likely to buy
Cheese, and why?
A) Kumiko, because his store has more choices
B) Nima, because his store has fewer choices
C) Kumiko, because he will be able to decide which is the perfect cheese for him
D) Nima, because he only has a few minutes to make his decision

Accepted Answer

Nima is more likely to buy cheese because having fewer choices can make the decision-making process easier and reduce the likelihood of becoming overwhelmed by too many options, a phenomenon known as choice overload or the paradox of choice.

Question 12

Using an analogy to help solve a problem is most likely to occur when the problem
A) is very specific and well-defined.
B) has many subgoals.
C) is similar to another problem.
D) cannot be solved by working backward.

Accepted Answer

Analogies are comparisons between two different things, which can help to find similarities and solutions in seemingly unrelated situations. Therefore, analogies are most likely to occur when a problem is similar to another problem, hence the correct choice is C.

Question 13

Last week, Alana saw a television show about a rare, but fatal, virus. Now, she has a runny nose and a fever and thinks she has contracted the virus. Alana's thinking is most
Likely based on
A) the representativeness heuristic.
B) using framing.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

Alana's thinking is based on the availability heuristic, where she is likely overestimating the likelihood of having the rare virus due to recent exposure to information about it on the television show.

Question 14

Sam always buys one specific brand of cell phones because she believes that brand is the most reliable. Sam is using ________ to decide what cell phone to buy, which may help her
Save time picking out her next cell phone.
A) restructuring
B) formal reasoning
C) an algorithm
D) a heuristic

Accepted Answer

Sam is using a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that helps in decision-making. In this case, Sam's belief that a specific brand of cell phones is the most reliable is a heuristic that helps her avoid spending time and effort researching and evaluating other brands.

Question 15

Using algorithms in decision making has the advantage of ________ and the disadvantage of ________.
A) requiring minimal thinking; not always working
B) not always working; requiring minimal thinking
C) always working; requiring effortful thinking
D) requiring effortful thinking; always working

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using algorithms in decision making has the...

Question 16

Some mental shortcuts can cause errors in thinking. For example, simply because you can remember an example of something very quickly and easily does not mean that you should
Rely on that information in making accurate probability judgments. This error in thinking
Reflects
A) an analogy.
B) insight.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) the representativeness heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut in which the ease with which an example comes to mind is used to make judgments about the probability or frequency of an event. This can be problematic because examples that are easily recalled are not necessarily representative of the entire population or situation, leading to inaccurate judgments.

Question 17

When solving a problem using insight, the solution is reached
A) by achieving one's subgoals.
B) suddenly when it just pops into one's head.
C) based on how similar the problem is to other problems.
D) by starting at the goal state and working backward.

Accepted Answer

Insight is characterized by a sudden realization of the solution to a problem that was previously unclear or seemingly unsolvable. It often comes without any conscious reasoning or step-by-step problem solving.

Question 18

Isaac is baking a cake by following the instructions in the recipe exactly. Isaac is using________ to make the cake, which means that his cake will turn out correctly.
A) insight
B) an algorithm
C) a heuristic
D) restructuring

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or set of instructions that must be followed in order to reach the desired outcome. By following the recipe exactly, Isaac is using an algorithm to make the cake, which should produce the correct result.

Question 19

According to the paradox of choice, having some choice is good, and having even more choice
A) makes people feel more satisfied with their decisions.
B) forces people to use an algorithm to make decisions.
C) can be frustrating and impair thinking.
D) allows us to have insight about what we really want.

Accepted Answer

The paradox of choice suggests that having too many choices can be overwhelming and impair our decision-making abilities. It can lead to decision paralysis and decreased satisfaction with the final decision made. Therefore, the best choice is to limit the number of options to a manageable level where decision-making is still possible without feeling overwhelmed.

Question 20

Marco wants to get an A on his exam. To do this, he divides up the material into small sections and focuses on learning a different section every day until he knows all of the
Material for the exam. Marco is ________ to achieve his goal of getting an A on his exam.
A) using subgoals
B) working backward
C) creating an analogy
D) using insight

Accepted Answer

Marco is using subgoals by breaking down the material into smaller sections and focusing on learning each one individually.

Quiz 8: Thinking and Intelligence

Gillian bought one set of tools because that brand offered a $10 rebate. The tool company influenced her decision by presenting the information about the rebates. This is a strategy Known as

Steve is trying to determine whether it will rain this Saturday. He quickly remembers that it has rained the past three Saturdays. If he uses this information to make his decision, He will be using

The type of thinking that uses shortcuts to allow one to make a decision quickly, without considering all of the evidence, is called

Josie has decided that she wants to become a doctor, but she feels overwhelmed when she thinks about how many years of school it will take to become a doctor. She could manage this Feeling by breaking the process into smaller pieces. If she did this, she would be using

After struggling to solve a physics problem, you take a break for lunch. When you go back to work on the problem, the solution suddenly pops into your head. In this case you used________ to solve the problem.

You are placing a bet on an upcoming basketball game. You quickly remember that the green team has won the last three home games. If you use that information to make your decision, You will be using

Using heuristics in decision making has the advantage of and the disadvantage of .

When you meet Joe, he tells you that he loves math and building computers and robots. You decide that Joe must be an engineering student and not a liberal arts student, even Though there are more liberal arts students at your school. In making this decision, you Have just used

To buy cheese, Kumiko goes to a large store with a big selection of cheeses. Nima goes to a much smaller store with only a few choices of cheeses. Who is more likely to buy Cheese, and why?

Using an analogy to help solve a problem is most likely to occur when the problem

Last week, Alana saw a television show about a rare, but fatal, virus. Now, she has a runny nose and a fever and thinks she has contracted the virus. Alana's thinking is most Likely based on

Sam always buys one specific brand of cell phones because she believes that brand is the most reliable. Sam is using ________ to decide what cell phone to buy, which may help her Save time picking out her next cell phone.

Using algorithms in decision making has the advantage of and the disadvantage of .

Some mental shortcuts can cause errors in thinking. For example, simply because you can remember an example of something very quickly and easily does not mean that you should Rely on that information in making accurate probability judgments. This error in thinking Reflects

When solving a problem using insight, the solution is reached

Isaac is baking a cake by following the instructions in the recipe exactly. Isaac is using________ to make the cake, which means that his cake will turn out correctly.

According to the paradox of choice, having some choice is good, and having even more choice

Marco wants to get an A on his exam. To do this, he divides up the material into small sections and focuses on learning a different section every day until he knows all of the Material for the exam. Marco is ________ to achieve his goal of getting an A on his exam.