Deck 27: A: Thinking

Question 1

Heuristics are

A) methodical step-by-step procedures for solving problems.
B) mental groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, or people.
C) problem-solving strategies involving the use of trial and error.
D) simple thinking strategies for solving problems quickly and efficiently.

Answer 1

simple thinking strategies for solving problems quickly and efficiently.

Question 2

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

A) algorithms.
B) confirmation bias.
C) framing.
D) an outcome simulation.

Answer 2

confirmation bias.

Question 3

Anika resisted changing her answer to a test question after reminding herself that "it's always best to stick with your first answer." Anika's decision best illustrates the use of

A) insight.
B) an algorithm.
C) trial and error.
D) a heuristic.

Answer 3

a heuristic.

Question 4

Most people take less time to identify a cow as a mammal than a mouse as a mammal because a cow more closely resembles their mammal

A) prototype.
B) fixation.
C) heuristic.
D) algorithm.

Question 5

Christmas is to holiday as ________ is to ________.

A) category; prototype
B) heuristic; algorithm
C) algorithm; heuristic
D) prototype; category

Question 6

In testing thousands of different materials for use as light bulb filaments, Thomas Edison best illustrated a problem-solving approach known as

A) the availability heuristic.
B) trial and error.
C) belief perseverance.
D) framing.

Question 7

Suddenly understanding the double meaning of a joke best illustrates

A) belief perseverance.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) the framing effect.
D) insight.

Question 8

People more easily detect male discrimination against women than female discrimination against men because the former more closely resembles their discrimination

A) heuristic.
B) algorithm.
C) prototype.
D) fixation.

Question 9

A best example of a category of objects, events, ideas, or people is called a(n)

A) algorithm.
B) concept.
C) prototype.
D) heuristic.

Question 10

Jamilla systematically tried each successive key on her dad's key ring until she found the one that unlocked his office door. This best illustrates problem solving by means of

A) belief perseverance.
B) an algorithm.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) framing.

Question 11

When we use the term Hispanic to refer to a category of people, we are using this word as a(n)

A) concept.
B) heuristic.
C) algorithm.
D) prototype.

Question 12

A sudden realization of the solution to a problem is called

A) framing.
B) insight.
C) a heuristic.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 13

Cognitive psychologists are most directly concerned with the study of

A) emotion.
B) genetics.
C) brain chemistry.
D) thinking.

Question 14

Once we have categorized an object, our memory of the object increasingly resembles the category

A) algorithm.
B) prototype.
C) heuristic.
D) mental set.

Question 15

Professor Thompson's research focuses on the impact of prototypes on the speed of object recognition and identification. Which specialty area does this research best represent?

A) personality psychology
B) cognitive psychology
C) biological psychology
D) developmental psychology

Question 16

In trying to solve a potentially complicated problem quickly, we are most likely to rely on

A) prototypes.
B) heuristics.
C) insight.
D) algorithms.

Question 17

Logical, methodical step-by-step procedures for solving problems are called

A) heuristics.
B) intuitions.
C) prototypes.
D) algorithms.

Question 18

When someone mentions hamburgers, Trisha immediately thinks of McDonald's. In this instance, McDonald's is a

A) mental set.
B) heuristic.
C) prototype.
D) fixation.

Question 19

The tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions is called

A) the availability heuristic.
B) confirmation bias.
C) framing.
D) overconfidence.

Question 20

A concept is a

A) mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people.
B) a method of hypothesis testing involving trial and error.
C) a best example of a particular category.
D) a simple thinking strategy for solving problems efficiently.

Question 21

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

A) the framing effect.
B) confirmation bias.
C) belief perseverance.
D) overconfidence.

Question 22

Weather forecasters typically avoid overconfidence when making weather predictions because they

A) work with computer-generated algorithms.
B) rely on prototypes for making category judgments.
C) use heuristics to avoid premature conclusions.
D) promptly receive clear feedback on their accuracy.

Question 23

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

A) framing.
B) confirmation bias.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) a critical period.

Question 24

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

A) confirmation bias.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) fixation.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 25

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

A) a fixation.
B) critical periods.
C) framing.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 26

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

A) confirmation bias.
B) critical periods.
C) an algorithm.
D) a mental set.

Question 27

Failing to recognize our potential for error is best demonstrated by

A) belief perseverance.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) overconfidence.
D) framing.

Question 28

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

A) belief perseverance.
B) a universal grammar.
C) confirmation bias.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 29

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

A) genetic factors.
B) belief perseverance.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) framing.

Question 30

Students routinely underestimate how much time it will take them to complete assignments. This best illustrates the impact of

A) the framing effect.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) an algorithm.
D) overconfidence.

Question 31

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

A) intuition.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) framing.
D) confirmation bias.

Question 32

Our intuitions are feelings and thoughts that are best described as

A) automatic.
B) explicit.
C) conscious.
D) systematic.

Question 33

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

A) confirmation bias.
B) the framing effect.
C) trial and error.
D) algorithms.

Question 34

People who demonstrate overconfidence are especially likely to

A) use algorithms to solve problems.
B) appear less credible to others.
C) avoid confirmation bias.
D) make difficult decisions more easily.

Question 35

The availability heuristic refers to our tendency to

A) overestimate the accuracy of our judgments.
B) estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily we remember instances of its occurrence.
C) search for information that is consistent with our preconceptions.
D) cling to our initial conceptions, even though they have been discredited.

Question 36

A mental set is a

A) methodical step-by-step procedure for solving problems.
B) mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people.
C) tendency to approach a problem in a way that has been successful in the past.
D) group of conclusions derived from certain assumptions or general principles.

Question 37

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

A) confirmation bias.
B) belief perseverance.
C) an algorithm.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 38

After taking two years of economics courses, Lionel thinks he knows enough about business to become a millionaire. Lionel should become more aware of

A) the availability heuristic.
B) mental set.
C) belief perseverance.
D) overconfidence.

Question 39

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

A) heuristics.
B) prototypes.
C) algorithms.
D) fixations.

Question 40

Many people underestimate the number of nonfatal heart attacks because they are not as memorable as heart attacks resulting in death. This illustrates the shortcoming of relying on

A) an algorithm.
B) trial and error.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) a process simulation.

Question 41

Sophie has an unrealistically negative self-image, which no one seems able to change. This best illustrates the importance of

A) intuition.
B) belief perseverance.
C) framing.
D) overconfidence.

Question 42

Psychologist Wolfgang Köhler placed a piece of fruit and a long stick outside chimpanzee Sultan's cage. Inside the cage he placed a short stick. Prior to gaining insight into the solution of the problem Sultan used

A) the short stick to try reaching the long stick.
B) the fruit to try retrieving the long stick.
C) the long stick to try retrieving the fruit.
D) the short stick to try retrieving the long stick.

Question 43

Ojinska sold many more raffle tickets when she told people they had a 10 percent chance of winning a prize than when she told them they had a 90 percent chance of not winning. This best illustrates the importance of

A) the availability heuristic.
B) the belief perseverance.
C) confirmation bias.
D) framing.

Question 44

People are often positively impressed by research that supports their own point of view. Asking them whether they would have been equally impressed by the same research if it had provided results that disputed their point of view is likely to inhibit

A) the framing effect.
B) concept formation.
C) belief perseverance.
D) insight.

Question 45

Despite overwhelming and highly publicized evidence that Senator McEwan was guilty of serious political corruption and misconduct, many who had supported her in past elections remained convinced of her political integrity. Their reaction best illustrates

A) the framing effect.
B) fixation.
C) belief perseverance.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 46

People's automatic, unconscious associations with a political position can predict their future decisions before they consciously make up their minds. This best illustrates the power of

A) prototypes.
B) intuition.
C) algorithms.
D) mental sets.

Question 47

An effort to "consider the opposite" would be most likely to inhibit

A) the availability heuristic.
B) belief perseverance.
C) concept formation.
D) insight.

Question 48

Many people are less supportive of paying a "carbon tax" than of paying an equivalent cost in the form of a "carbon offset" fee. This best illustrates the impact of

A) the availability heuristic.
B) confirmation bias.
C) overconfidence.
D) framing.

Question 49

U.S. employees who formerly wanted to defer part of their compensation to a 401(k) retirement plan typically had to lower their take-home pay as they "opted in" to the plan. Now companies are being encouraged to enroll their employees in the 401(k) plan automatically while allowing them to choose to raise their take-home pay by "opting-out" of the 401(k) plan. Under the "opting out" rather than "opt-in" system, enrollments in 401(k) plans soared. This best illustrates the impact of

A) overconfidence.
B) a process simulation.
C) framing.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 50

Alex was an African Grey parrot who could

A) indicate which of two numbers was greater.
B) use a flexible stick for fishing termites.
C) demonstrate self-awareness by recognizing himself in a mirror.
D) understand concepts as well as most 3-year-old children.

Question 51

Framing refers to

A) a methodical step-by-step procedure for solving problems.
B) the way in which a problem or issue is phrased or worded.
C) the grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people into a category.
D) a simple thinking strategy for solving problems efficiently.

Question 52

Without awareness, we often use highly adaptive heuristics. This best illustrates the value of

A) intuition.
B) prototypes.
C) fixation.
D) critical periods.

Question 53

People told that a chemical in the air is projected to kill 10 out of every 10,000 people feel more frightened than if told the fatality risk is one-tenth of 1 percent. This best illustrates the importance of

A) a fixation.
B) overconfidence.
C) confirmation bias.
D) framing.

Question 54

Experimental participants reviewed two research studies, one supporting and the other refuting the crime-deterring effectiveness of capital punishment. Afterward, the opinions of those who initially favored the use of capital punishment became ________ favorable toward its use. The opinions of those who initially opposed the use of capital punishment became ________ favorable toward its use.

A) more; more
B) less; more
C) less; less
D) more; less

Question 55

After gathering extensive information about the colleges she was interested in attending, Krista let the information "incubate" outside her conscious awareness for several days. This provided time for her decision to be potentially enhanced by

A) a critical period.
B) confirmation bias.
C) an algorithm.
D) intuition.

Question 56

Great apes, dolphins, and elephants have demonstrated self-awareness by

A) recognizing themselves in a mirror.
B) transmitting cultural innovations.
C) forming concepts.
D) fashioning tools.

Question 57

Encouraging people to elaborate on why their own personal views on an issue are correct is most likely to promote

A) mental set.
B) heuristics.
C) framing.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 58

One group of Australian dolphins learned to use marine sponges as protective noseguards when probing the sea floor for fish. This best illustrates their capacity to

A) demonstrate empathy.
B) use tools.
C) generate algorithms.
D) engage in outcome simulations.

Question 59

Belief perseverance refers to

A) a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions.
B) approaching a problem in a particular way that has been successful in the past.
C) a methodical procedure that guarantees the eventual solution of a problem.
D) clinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.

Question 60

Experienced chicken sexers can tell you a chick's sex at a glance, yet cannot tell you how they do it. Their acquired expertise is such an automatic habit that it feels like

A) an algorithm.
B) a prototype.
C) intuition.
D) mental set.