Question 1

Kevin wants to be a doctor but right now he is an English major.Kevin is trying to find out how to change majors to one that will allow him to reach his goal.Kevin is engaging in
A) problem solving.
B) informal reasoning.
C) decision making.
D) formal reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Kevin is facing a problem (having a major that does not align with his career goal). He is seeking a solution (changing his major) which requires problem solving skills.

Question 2

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 most likely based on the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to make judgments based on the ease with which examples come to mind. In this case, Alana saw a TV show about a rare virus, which made it more available in her mind and therefore more likely for her to believe she has contracted it when experiencing symptoms. The other options do not seem to be applicable in this scenario.

Question 3

Because she heard that her blind date was an accounting major,Cynthia imagined that he would be conservative,humorless,and dull.Cynthia's generalization of what an accounting student is like is an example of a(n)
A) exemplar.
B) stereotype.
C) mental map.
D) analogical representation.

Accepted Answer

Cynthia's assumption about the blind date based solely on his accounting major is a stereotype, which is a preconceived and oversimplified idea about a group of people.

Question 4

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 that guarantees a correct solution to a problem when followed correctly. In this case, following the recipe exactly is an algorithm for baking a cake which will result in a correctly made cake. The other options (insight, heuristic, restructuring) do not fit in this context as they are not related to following a specific set of steps to achieve a goal.

Question 5

Your friend says the new restaurant in town has the best hamburgers.To see whether she is correct,you read a variety of online restaurant reviews.You are using ________ reasoning to determine whether this conclusion is valid.
A) formal
B) informal
C) heuristic
D) algorithmic

Accepted Answer

The method of reading online restaurant reviews to determine whether the conclusion about the quality of hamburgers at the new restaurant is valid is an example of informal reasoning. Informal reasoning relies on personal experiences, opinions, and observations to come to a conclusion. It is often used in everyday decision making and problem solving. The other choices are not applicable in this scenario. Formal reasoning is a deductive process that uses logic and rules to arrive at a conclusion. Heuristic reasoning is a problem-solving approach based on trial and error. Algorithmic reasoning involves following a set of established rules or procedures to solve a problem.

Question 6

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 7

Some mental shortcuts can cause errors in thinking.For example,simply because a piece of information is remembered easily does not mean that the best decision is based on that information.This error in thinking reflects
A) an analogy.
B) insight.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) the representativeness heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The described error in thinking reflects the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to rely on easily accessible information when making decisions or judgments. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions because information that is easily remembered may not necessarily be the most relevant or accurate.

Question 8

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 systematically trying every possible combination of four-digit numbers, indicating that he is using an algorithm rather than a heuristic or mental set. While an analogy may be helpful in certain problem-solving situations, it is not applicable here.

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

Your rent is due,but you are short $100.You find a way around this obstacle to meet the goal of paying the rent by offering to clean your friend's house for $100.You now have enough money to pay your rent.To reach your goal,you have just used the thinking strategy of
A) reasoning.
B) decision making.
C) problem solving.
D) framing.

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves finding solutions to obstacles or challenges that prevent reaching a goal. In this scenario, the obstacle was not having enough money to pay rent, and the solution was offering to clean a friend's house for payment. Thus, the thinking strategy used was problem solving.

Question 11

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 while having some choice is good, having too much choice can lead to decision-making paralysis, increased stress and anxiety, and decreased overall satisfaction with the chosen option. Therefore, C is the best choice as it accurately reflects this idea.

Question 12

Lauren is baking a cake but realizes that she is missing ingredients.She has to make a cake,so she finds a new recipe that will work with the ingredients she has.Lauren is engaging in
A) informal reasoning.
B) framing.
C) problem solving.
D) formal reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Lauren is facing a problem (missing ingredients) and is actively searching for a solution by finding a new recipe that will work with the ingredients she has. Therefore, she is engaging in problem solving.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes reasoning?
A) finding a way around an obstacle to reach a goal
B) selecting the best option among a set of alternatives
C) choosing between general information and specific information
D) using information to determine if a conclusion is valid or reasonable

Accepted Answer

Reasoning involves using information and evidence to come to a conclusion or decision. Therefore, choice D, which describes using information to determine if a conclusion is valid or reasonable, is the best description of reasoning among the given options.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes problem solving?
A) finding a way around an obstacle to reach a goal
B) selecting the best option among a set of alternatives
C) reasoning from general information to specific information
D) using information to determine if a conclusion is valid or reasonable

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves finding a way around an obstacle to reach a goal, which is a process of identifying a problem and taking steps to resolve it.

Question 15

Jethro believes that all elderly people have difficulty hearing and understanding.Whenever he interacts with an elderly person,Jethro automatically speaks loudly and slowly.Jethro is applying his ________ of the elderly in these interactions.
A) algorithm
B) prototype
C) stereotype
D) exemplar

Accepted Answer

Jethro is applying a stereotype (a generalization about a group) to all elderly people, assuming that they all have difficulty hearing and understanding.

Question 16

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

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow individuals to make decisions quickly and efficiently, without necessarily considering all of the available evidence. They can be useful in certain situations, but they can also lead to errors and biases.

Question 17

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

The strategy mentioned in the scenario where the tool company presented information about a rebate to influence Gillian's decision is known as framing. Framing is the way information is presented or framed to influence people's perceptions and responses to it. In this case, the rebate was framed as an incentive for purchasing the tool brand, which influenced Gillian to choose that brand.

Question 18

Bob believes that the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl this year.To see whether you agree with Bob,you read a variety of online reviews about the Seahawks and their opponents and compare the statistics for each team.To determine whether Bob's conclusion is reasonable,you are engaging in
A) reasoning.
B) problem solving.
C) decision making.
D) heuristics.

Accepted Answer

Engaging in reasoning involves evaluating evidence and using logical thinking to reach a conclusion. In this scenario, the individual is using online reviews and statistics to evaluate the likelihood of the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl. Therefore, the best choice is reasoning (option A). Options B, C, and D do not accurately describe the process of evaluating evidence and reaching a conclusion in this scenario.

Question 19

Jake is choosing his major from three different alternatives: biology,Spanish,or psychology.Jake is using
A) problem solving.
B) framing.
C) decision making.
D) insight.

Accepted Answer

Jake is faced with a choice between three alternatives and is trying to determine the best course of action for himself. This is an example of decision making, which involves weighing the pros and cons of each option and selecting the one that is most likely to lead to a favorable outcome.

Question 20

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 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 behind the prediction of Tyra being a model is based on the representativeness heuristic, where she fits the prototype of a model more than that of a science teacher. This heuristic can lead to faulty reasoning as it relies on stereotypes and may not account for individual differences.

Quiz 8: Thinking and Intelligence

Kevin wants to be a doctor but right now he is an English major.Kevin is trying to find out how to change majors to one that will allow him to reach his goal.Kevin is engaging in

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

Because she heard that her blind date was an accounting major,Cynthia imagined that he would be conservative,humorless,and dull.Cynthia's generalization of what an accounting student is like is an example of a(n)

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.

Your friend says the new restaurant in town has the best hamburgers.To see whether she is correct,you read a variety of online restaurant reviews.You are using ________ reasoning to determine whether this conclusion is valid.

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 a piece of information is remembered easily does not mean that the best decision is based on that information.This error in thinking reflects

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

Your rent is due,but you are short $100.You find a way around this obstacle to meet the goal of paying the rent by offering to clean your friend's house for $100.You now have enough money to pay your rent.To reach your goal,you have just used the thinking strategy of

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

Lauren is baking a cake but realizes that she is missing ingredients.She has to make a cake,so she finds a new recipe that will work with the ingredients she has.Lauren is engaging in

Which of the following best describes reasoning?

Which of the following best describes problem solving?

Jethro believes that all elderly people have difficulty hearing and understanding.Whenever he interacts with an elderly person,Jethro automatically speaks loudly and slowly.Jethro is applying his ________ of the elderly in these interactions.

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

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

Bob believes that the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl this year.To see whether you agree with Bob,you read a variety of online reviews about the Seahawks and their opponents and compare the statistics for each team.To determine whether Bob's conclusion is reasonable,you are engaging in

Jake is choosing his major from three different alternatives: biology,Spanish,or psychology.Jake is using