Deck 26: Storage: Retaining Information

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

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

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A sudden realization of the solution to a problem is called

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

Answer 3

B

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) hierarchy.
C) heuristic.
D) algorithm.

Question 5

Suddenly understanding the double meaning of a joke best illustrates

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

Question 6

People are quicker to recognize that sharp chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack than that shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack.This is because sharp pain more closely matches their heart attack

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

Question 7

Cognition refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking,remembering,knowing,and

A) spatial rotation.
B) confirmation bias.
C) fixation.
D) communicating.

Question 8

Cognitive psychologists are most directly concerned with the study of

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

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

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 11

Christmas is to holiday as ________ is to ________.

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

Question 12

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.

Question 13

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.

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

Professor Thompson's research focuses on how prototypes affect the speed at which we recognize and identify objects.Which specialty area does this research best represent?

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

Question 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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

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

Question 20

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 21

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) mental sets.

Question 22

Estimating the likelihood of events in terms of how well they seem to represent,or match,particular prototypes is referred to as

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

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

While visiting a university he was interested in attending,Mathew was momentarily irritated by an admission counselor's mispronunciation of his name.Without consciously realizing it,Mathew'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

A) intuition.
B) divergent thinking.
C) extrinsic motivation.
D) the planning fallacy.

Question 25

Fixation is defined as

A) a tendency to approach a problem in one particular way,often a way that has been successful in the past.
B) a sudden realization of a problem's solution;contrasts with strategy-based solutions.
C) an effortless,immediate,automatic feeling or thought,as contrasted with explicit,conscious reasoning.
D) the inability to see a problem from a new perspective.

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) intuition.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) an algorithm.
D) a mental set.

Question 27

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

A) an algorithm.
B) trial and error.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) convergent thinking.

Question 28

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 29

Suppose researchers wanted to improve participants' insight.They should use electrical stimulation to the left temporal lobe to ________ its activity and the right temporal lobe to ________ its activity

A) increase;decrease
B) decrease;increase
C) increase;increase
D) decrease;decrease

Question 30

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 31

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

A) heuristics.
B) prototypes.
C) divergent thinking.
D) fixations.

Question 32

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

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

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

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

Question 35

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 36

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) convergent thinking.

Question 37

Racism and prejudice have been associated with

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

Question 38

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) divergent thinking.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) framing.
D) confirmation bias.

Question 39

Our intuitions are feelings and thoughts that are best described as

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

Question 40

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 41

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 42

Vivid and memorable images of shark attacks that lead people to develop exaggerated fears best illustrate the impact of

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

Question 43

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

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

Question 44

People who err on the side of overconfidence are especially likely to

A) use algorithms to solve problems.
B) appear less credible to others.
C) avoid confirmation bias.
D) live more happily.

Question 45

Experimental participants reviewed two research studies,one for and the other against the death penalty as a way to lower the crime rate.Afterward,the opinions of those who initially favored the use of the death penalty became ________ favorable toward its use.The opinions of those who initially opposed the use of the death penalty became ________ favorable toward its use.

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

Question 46

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 47

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 48

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) divergent thinking.
B) concept formation.
C) belief perseverance.
D) insight.

Question 49

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 50

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) algorithms.
C) belief perseverance.
D) overconfidence.

Question 51

Our fear of flying is often exaggerated because the greatest dangers of flying are concentrated in brief moments such as takeoff.Of the possible reasons for our fear identified here,this best illustrates that we tend to fear dangers

A) that we cannot control.
B) that are immediate.
C) that kill large numbers of people at a time.
D) that our ancestral history has prepared us to fear.

Question 52

Dr.Schmidt is convinced that playing violent video games is not associated with aggressive behavior in children.When presented with research showing a link between the two,Dr.Schmidt ignores the evidence by claiming the research is flawed.He has engaged in

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

Question 53

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) the planning fallacy.
C) belief perseverance.
D) the availability heuristic.

Question 54

Failing to recognize our potential for error is best demonstrated by

A) convergent thinking.
B) the availability heuristic.
C) overconfidence.
D) framing.

Question 55

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

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

Question 56

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 57

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

A) the availability heuristic.
B) belief perseverance.
C) divergent thinking.
D) insight.

Question 58

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 59

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 60

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

A) divergent thinking.
B) the framing effect.
C) insight.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 61

U.S.employees who formerly wanted to defer part of their compensation to a 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 plan automatically while allowing them to choose to raise their take-home pay by "opting-out" of the plan.Under the "opt-out" rather than "opt-in" system,enrollments in retirement plans soared.This is an example of the effects of

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

Question 62

Without being aware of it,we often use highly adaptive heuristics.This best illustrates the value of

A) intuition.
B) belief perseverance.
C) fixation.
D) algorithms.

Question 63

Narrowing available problem solutions to the single best solution illustrates

A) divergent thinking.
B) confirmation bias.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) convergent thinking.

Question 64

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) overconfidence.

Question 65

A person who can effectively identify the best possible answers to multiple-choice test questions best illustrates

A) a mental set.
B) convergent thinking.
C) the availability heuristic.
D) belief perseverance.

Question 66

Newlyweds' automatic gut reactions to their new spouses predict their future marital happiness.This best illustrates the informative value of

A) algorithms.
B) intuition.
C) fixations.
D) divergent thinking.

Question 67

People told that a chemical in the air is projected to kill 10 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 68

Divergent thinking involves

A) expanding the number of possible solutions to a problem.
B) estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.
C) a methodical procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem.
D) overestimating the accuracy of one's beliefs.

Question 69

Injury to certain areas of the ________ lobes can destroy imagination while leaving reading,writing,and arithmetic skills intact.

A) frontal
B) parietal
C) occipital
D) temporal

Question 70

Our speedy intuitions best illustrate our capacity for

A) using algorithms.
B) processing information unconsciously.
C) convergent thinking.
D) trial-and-error problem solving.

Question 71

Professional hockey players can make correct game moves at such speed that their acquired expertise feels like

A) an algorithm.
B) divergent thinking.
C) extrinsic motivation.
D) intuition.

Question 72

An effortless,immediate,automatic feeling or thought is known as

A) an algorithm.
B) divergent thinking.
C) extrinsic motivation.
D) intuition.

Question 73

Creativity is the ability to

A) experience insight.
B) develop prototypes.
C) solve problems quickly.
D) produce novel and valuable ideas.

Question 74

People who make outstanding creative contributions to the arts or sciences are most likely to

A) be unusually sensitive to criticism of their ideas.
B) receive above-average scores on tests of divergent thinking.
C) avoid the use of heuristics.
D) be strongly motivated to attain fame and fortune.

Question 75

In writing survey questions,political pollsters who want to gather evidence of people's support for particular viewpoints are especially likely to understand the impact of

A) belief perseverance.
B) mental sets.
C) a fixation.
D) framing.

Question 76

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 fixation.
C) intuition.
D) divergent thinking.

Question 77

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) the framing effect.
B) confirmation bias.
C) an algorithm.
D) intuition.

Question 78

Students in an economics course were upset when they received average scores of 72 on a 100-point exam.However,they were delighted when they received average scores of 96 on a 137-point exam.Their differing reactions to their two exam scores best illustrates the impact of

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

Question 79

The components associated with creativity include

A) impulsivity and empathy.
B) expertise and a venturesome personality.
C) a need for control and belief perseverance.
D) intuition and overconfidence.

Question 80

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) belief perseverance.
C) confirmation bias.
D) framing.