Question 1

John does not realize that his girlfriend,Mary,is unhappy about their relationship and wants to break up.To address this situation,John first and foremost (before anything else)needs to __________ the problem.

Accepted Answer

John can only begin to address the situation if he is aware of the problem. Therefore, the first and foremost thing he needs to do is identify the existence of Mary's unhappiness and desire to break up.

Question 2

Steve realizes he and his girlfriend Cathy are not getting along well.Steve thinks that the reason why his girlfriend is unhappy with their relationship is because he spends too much time with his buddies.Yet,according to Cathy,this is not the reason at all.According to Cathy,Steve has failed to __________ the problem correctly.

Accepted Answer

Steve has misidentified the reason for his girlfriend's unhappiness, indicating that he has not defined the problem correctly.

Question 3

After researching a topic for a term paper,Sam needs to organize all the information and put it together into a coherent paper.The problem-solving strategy primarily involved in this task is

Accepted Answer

Synthesis involves taking different pieces of information and combining them into a coherent whole, which is what Sam needs to do in order to write a term paper. Analysis involves breaking down information into its constituent parts, divergent thinking involves generating multiple solutions to a problem, and convergent thinking involves narrowing down potential solutions to a single best option. While some analysis may be necessary in the research stage, the primary problem-solving strategy for organizing and writing a term paper is synthesis.

Question 4

After being admitted by several colleges,Michael needs to decide which college to attend.The problem-solving strategy primarily involved in this task is

Accepted Answer

Convergent thinking involves analyzing information and evaluating options to come up with the best possible solution to a problem. In this case, Michael needs to analyze the pros and cons of each college, evaluate his priorities, and make a decision based on his needs and preferences. Therefore, his decision-making process involves convergent thinking.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a type of error typically made when solving well-structured problems?

Accepted Answer

Repeating the same step is more characteristic of issues faced in poorly structured problems or in situations where the problem solver is not effectively progressing towards a solution. Well-structured problems typically have clear paths to solutions, and errors are more about incorrect application of rules or misunderstanding the problem structure, rather than repetitive actions without progress.

Question 6

"How do you find the area of a triangle?" is an example of a(n)__________ problem.

Accepted Answer

A well-structured problem has a clear and straightforward path to a solution, with a known set of rules, procedures, and formulas. Finding the area of a triangle is a classic example of a well-structured problem that can be solved using the formula A = 1/2bh.

Question 7

Cathy has three exams and two papers coming up,and she needs to decide how much time to spend on each project to maximize her chances of doing well on all of them.The problem-solving step primarily associated with this task is

Accepted Answer

Resource allocation involves determining how to distribute limited resources (in this case, time) among different tasks in order to achieve the best possible results.

Question 8

After researching a topic for a term paper,you go over all of your notes and decide on an outline for organizing your ideas as well as the order in which you will address them in your paper.The problem-solving step primarily associated with this task is

Accepted Answer

The problem-solving step primarily associated with this task is organization of information. By going over all the notes and deciding on an outline for organizing ideas, the individual is determining how to structure and present the information in an orderly and coherent manner. This step is crucial in developing a clear and effective term paper.

Question 9

This part of the problem-solving cycle involves periodically assessing to what extent you are getting closer to the goal.In other words,individuals who are effective problem-solvers will check their performance along the way to decide if they should continue or change their approach.

Accepted Answer

Monitoring involves regularly checking progress and adjusting the approach as needed. This step is essential for effective problem-solving as it ensures that individuals are staying on track towards their goal and making necessary modifications to improve their performance.

Question 10

This part of the problem-solving cycle occurs once you have arrived at a solution you then assess the quality of your solution.

Accepted Answer

Evaluation is the part of the problem-solving cycle where the quality of the solution is assessed. This is important to ensure that the solution is effective and efficient, and to identify any areas for improvement or adjustment.

Question 11

__________ refers to the process of integrating various elements into a more complex whole.

Accepted Answer

The term "synthesis" refers to the process of combining or integrating different elements to create a more complex whole. This can be contrasted with "analysis," which involves breaking down complex elements into smaller parts for closer examination. Neither "automaticity" nor "positive transfer" accurately describe this process.

Question 12

Pat just found out that she must give a class presentation in 10 days.To this end,Pat breaks down the task of preparing for her presentation into specific,manageable steps she must take to do a good job.This problem-solving strategy primarily involves

Accepted Answer

Breaking down a task into specific, manageable steps to solve a problem involves analysis, as it requires examining the components of the task to understand how best to approach it.

Question 13

_____ is (are)a particular approach to problem solving which suggests the following steps: problem identification,problem definition,strategy formulation,organization of information,allocation of resources,monitoring,and evaluation.

Accepted Answer

The given steps are all part of the problem solving cycle approach to problem solving. Well-structured problems are clearly defined and have a straightforward solution, while ill-structured problems are more complex and have ambiguous solutions. Entrenchment refers to a situation where a person becomes fixed in their way of thinking and is resistant to change.

Question 14

__________ refers to thought processes involving the production of various alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Divergent thinking refers to the ability to come up with multiple responses or solutions to a given problem. It involves generating a wide range of ideas without focusing on a single answer or solution.

Question 15

Jamie is a bright college student who wants to work with people in the medical field.To this end,she is considering a diverse assortment of possible alternative ways to achieve her goal,including becoming a medical doctor,nurse,or physician's assistant.The problem-solving strategy primarily involved in this task is

Accepted Answer

Divergent thinking involves considering a variety of different options and possibilities in order to solve a problem. In this scenario, Jamie is considering multiple alternative ways to achieve her goal of working in the medical field, which is a clear example of divergent thinking. Options A, B, and D are all related to analyzing or evaluating information, which is not the primary focus of Jamie's problem-solving strategy in this case.

Question 16

__________ refers to the process of breaking down a complex whole into smaller elements.

Accepted Answer

Analysis refers to breaking down a complex whole into smaller elements. Automaticity refers to the ability to complete a task without conscious thought. Positive transfer refers to the transfer of skills or knowledge from one task to another. Synthesis refers to the combination of smaller elements to form a complex whole.

Question 17

__________ refers to a set of processes for which the goal is to overcome obstacles obstructing the path to a solution.

Accepted Answer

Problem solving refers specifically to the set of processes used to identify and overcome obstacles to a solution. Convergent thinking, creativity, and productive thinking are all related concepts, but they do not necessarily focus exclusively on problem solving.

Question 18

__________ refers to thought processes during which the person selectively narrows down multiple alternatives until reaching a single,optimal alternative.

Accepted Answer

Convergent thinking is a cognitive process in which a person narrows down multiple ideas to reach a single, optimal solution. It involves using logic and critical thinking to analyze and evaluate various options and choose the best course of action. Divergent thinking, on the other hand, involves generating multiple ideas or solutions to a problem without necessarily selecting one as the best option. Insight and incubation do not specifically relate to the process of narrowing down alternatives to reach a single solution.

Question 19

Richard does not realize that his drinking is interfering with his daily activities and is becoming a problem.To address this problem,Richard first and foremost (before anything else)needs to __________ the problem.

Accepted Answer

In order for Richard to address his drinking problem, he must first identify the existence of the problem. He needs to acknowledge that he has a problem with alcohol and recognize that it is interfering with his daily activities. Only then can he start to formulate a strategy and evaluate his options for overcoming his addiction.

Question 20

__________ problems have a well-defined path to solution.

Accepted Answer

Well-structured problems have a clear and defined path to a solution. These problems typically have a set of rules, procedures or algorithms that can be used to solve them. Positive transfer refers to the application of previous knowledge to a new situation, transparent is the quality of being easy to understand and heuristic refers to a problem-solving strategy that may not have a guaranteed solution.

Quiz 11: Problem Solving and Creativity

John does not realize that his girlfriend,Mary,is unhappy about their relationship and wants to break up.To address this situation,John first and foremost (before anything else) needs to __________ the problem.