Question 1

To suppress impediments to our natural creativity,researchers used electrical stimulation to ________ left hemisphere activity and to ________ right hemisphere activity.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for logical and analytical thinking, while the right hemisphere is responsible for creative and intuitive thinking. Therefore, to suppress impediments to natural creativity, we would want to decrease left hemisphere activity and increase right hemisphere activity. Electrical stimulation has been shown to be a way to do this, thus the best choice is B, which specifies decreasing left hemisphere activity and increasing right hemisphere activity.

Question 2

The availability heuristic refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples, either recent or easily brought to mind, to evaluate a specific topic, concept or decision. Therefore, we tend to estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily we remember instances of its occurrence rather than on accurate statistical data.

Question 3

Recently experienced local weather conditions often have a greater impact on people's perceived threat of global climate change than less memorable scientific data regarding long-term planetary weather trends.This best illustrates the impact of:

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is the cognitive bias where people rely on easily accessible or memorable information to make judgments about a topic. In this case, the recent local weather conditions are more salient and easily accessible in people's minds, causing them to place more weight on them when thinking about climate change.

Question 4

Students were asked to figure out the rule used to devise the three-number sequence 2-4-6.After generating sets of three numbers to learn whether their sets met the rule,they typically convinced themselves of the wrong rule.Their errors best illustrate the impact of:

Accepted Answer

The students' tendency to test sets of numbers that confirmed their initial assumption rather than seeking disconfirming evidence reflects confirmation bias, or the tendency to favor information that supports one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.

Question 5

Our intuitions are feelings and thoughts that are best described as:

Accepted Answer

Intuitions are often instantaneous and automatic, occurring without conscious thought or effort.

Question 6

Many people overestimate how long they actually remain awake during restless nights because their moments of wakefulness are easier to recall than their moments of sleep.This best illustrates the impact of:

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias where people estimate the likelihood or frequency of an event based on how easily examples of it come to mind. In this case, people overestimate how long they remain awake during restless nights because they recall their moments of wakefulness more easily than their moments of sleep.

Question 7

In suggesting that our ancestral history has prepared us to fear snakes,psychologists are emphasizing that what we fear is influenced by:

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that our fear of snakes is a result of our genetic history, indicating that genetic factors play a role in influencing what we fear.

Question 8

After learning that her two best friends had lost their jobs,Mariah began to grossly overestimate the national unemployment rate.Mariah's reaction best illustrates the consequences of:

Accepted Answer

Mariah's reaction best illustrates the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind. Mariah's personal experience with her friends losing their jobs made her more likely to estimate a higher national unemployment rate, as the information was easily available to her.

Question 9

Many people perceive carjackings as more serious threats to their lives than failing to use seatbelts because carjackings are so much more memorable.This best illustrates the importance of:

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events that are more easily remembered or available in memory. The vivid and memorable nature of carjackings makes them more easily accessible in memory, leading to an overestimation of their threat compared to less memorable risks like failing to use seatbelts.

Question 10

A fixation refers to an inability to:

Accepted Answer

A fixation is an inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective, resulting in being stuck on a certain idea or way of thinking. The other options do not accurately describe a fixation.

Question 11

Many people underestimate the proportion of heart attacks that are not fatal because they are not as memorable as heart attacks resulting in death.This illustrates the shortcoming of relying on:

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that people tend to rely on the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind. In this case, heart attacks resulting in death are more memorable and therefore more available in people's minds, leading to an underestimation of non-fatal heart attacks. The other choices are not relevant to this scenario.

Question 12

Kevin succeeds in getting his children to do chores by using threats.He fails to recognize that kindness would be even more effective in gaining their cooperation.Kevin's shortsightedness best illustrates a consequence of:

Accepted Answer

Kevin's inability to recognize that kindness would be more effective suggests that he has a mental set or a fixed way of thinking about how to motivate his children. He may be stuck in the mindset that threats and punishment are the only ways to get his children to do chores, and is not open to considering alternative approaches.

Question 13

Brainstorming sessions that encourage people to spontaneously suggest new and unusual solutions to a problem are designed to avoid:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Brainstorming sessions that encourage people to spontaneously...

Question 14

A mental set is a:

Accepted Answer

A mental set is a cognitive framework or approach that we consciously or unconsciously use when we approach a problem. It can be helpful when dealing with familiar problems, but it can also be a hindrance when we need to think outside the box and solve a new problem in a different way. Mental sets can be influenced by past experiences or successes, which can lead to a tendency to repeat the same approach even when it's not effective.

Question 15

While visiting a university he was interested in attending,Joachim was momentarily irritated by an admission counselor's incorrect pronunciation of his name.Without consciously realizing it,Joachim's gut-level reaction to this single incident led him to form an unduly negative judgment of the university.This best illustrates the impact of:

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes the impact of intuition, which is an automatic, gut-level reaction to a situation or stimulus that can influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Joachim's negative judgment of the university was formed based on this initial, negative gut-level reaction to the counselor's mispronunciation of his name. This highlights the powerful role that intuition can play in shaping our perceptions and decisions.

Question 16

Jahmal cites his cousin Luana's many car accidents as evidence that women are worse drivers than men.He overlooks the fact that his wife and three daughters have had far fewer car accidents than he and his two sons.Jahmal's prejudicial conclusion about women's driving skills best illustrates the effects of:

Accepted Answer

This scenario shows clear evidence of confirmation bias, as Jahmal is selectively focusing on information that supports his preconceived idea about women's driving abilities and overlooking evidence that contradicts it. The other answer choices (algorithms, framing, convergent thinking) do not accurately describe this cognitive phenomenon.

Question 17

Myra has such low self-esteem that she is often on the lookout for critical comments about her appearance and personality.Myra's behavior best illustrates the dangers of:

Accepted Answer

Myra's behavior involves seeking out information that confirms her negative beliefs about herself, which is an example of confirmation bias. This bias can lead to a distorted view of reality and can reinforce negative self-perceptions. The other options are not directly related to Myra's behavior.

Question 18

State lottery officials send residents a facsimile of a contest-winning check for over $5 million to encourage them to imagine themselves as possible winners.The lottery promoters are most clearly exploiting the influence of:

Accepted Answer

The lottery officials are exploiting the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily it comes to mind. By sending a facsimile of a contest-winning check for a large amount, they are making it more available in people's minds and therefore, increasing the perceived likelihood of winning.

Question 19

Emotion-laden images of unusual but vivid cases of abducted children may lead many parents to experience exaggerated fears of letting their children walk to school.The exaggerated fears best illustrate the impact of:

Accepted Answer

The emotion-laden images and vivid cases create availability bias, leading to exaggerated fears. Parents may overestimate the likelihood of their children being abducted, causing them to be more cautious and hesitant about letting them walk to school. The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that causes people to rely on the most easily available information, which in this case are the vivid media reports, to make decisions or judgments.

Question 20

Steve was sure he answered at least 70 questions correctly on his biology test.In fact,he was right on only 55 items.Steve's misjudgment of his test performance illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Steve's misjudgment of his test performance shows that he was overconfident about his abilities and his test results.

Quiz 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

To suppress impediments to our natural creativity,researchers used electrical stimulation to left hemisphere activity and to right hemisphere activity.