Question 1

People are likely to take less time to recognize a woman as a nurse than a man as a nurse because a woman more closely resembles their nurse

Accepted Answer

The best choice is B) prototype because it refers to the typical or idealized representation of a concept, and in this case, people may have a preconceived notion that nurses are more often women, leading them to more easily recognize a woman as a nurse compared to a man. A) heuristic refers to a mental shortcut used to make judgments or decisions quickly, C) algorithm refers to a step-by-step problem-solving procedure, and D) fixation refers to being stuck in a particular way of thinking or problem-solving.

Question 2

Which term refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking,knowing,remembering,and communicating?

Accepted Answer

The term that refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating is cognition. A) Algorithm refers to a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, B) heuristic refers to a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently, D) Mental set refers to a tendency to approach situations in a certain way because of past experiences.

Question 3

When we use the word automobile to refer to a category of transport vehicles,we are using this word as a(n)

Accepted Answer

Concept refers to a mental representation of a category or an idea, and in this context, automobile is a concept that categorizes a group of transport vehicles. Intuition, heuristic, and algorithm are not applicable in this scenario.

Question 4

Insight refers to

Accepted Answer

Insight refers to a sudden realization or understanding of a solution to a problem, rather than a step-by-step process or trial and error.

Question 5

Kevin did not know whether the locker room was located down the short hallway to his right or down the long hallway to his left.Crossing his fingers,he decided to try the short hallway.His problem-solving strategy best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Kevin's decision to try the short hallway without having prior knowledge of the location of the locker room demonstrates the trial and error problem-solving strategy, whereby he attempts a solution and determines its success or failure based on feedback.

Question 6

Eva had difficulty recognizing that a sea horse was a fish because it did not closely resemble her fish

Accepted Answer

The concept of a prototype refers to a typical or idealized example of a category. In this case, Eva's fish is her prototype for fish, and the sea horse does not closely resemble it, leading to difficulty in recognizing it as a fish.

Question 7

A mental grouping of similar objects,events,ideas,or people is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A concept is a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people. Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems, prototypes are the best or most typical example of a category, and heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that may or may not be accurate.

Question 8

Research participants were asked to identify a word that would form a compound word or phrase with each of three other words.Solutions that occurred with sudden insight were accompanied by a burst of activity in the brain's ________ lobe.

Accepted Answer

Solutions that occurred with sudden insight, often referred to as "aha" moments, have been associated with a burst of activity in the brain's right temporal lobe. This area of the brain is involved in processing complex stimuli and integrating information, which is crucial for insight and creative problem-solving.

Question 9

Professor Pegler's research efforts focus on how the use of heuristics influences the way people assess financial risks.Which specialty area does his research best represent?

Accepted Answer

Professor Pegler's research specifically focuses on cognitive processes and how they are involved in decision-making about financial risks, making cognitive psychology the best fit for his specialty area. The other options (developmental psychology, biological psychology, and personality psychology) do not align as closely with his research topic.

Question 10

With which of the following statements will people typically agree most quickly?

Accepted Answer

Robins are a common example of what most people typically think of when they imagine a bird, due to their widespread presence in various environments and their appearance that fits the conventional bird profile (small, able to fly, etc.). This familiarity makes it easier for people to quickly agree with the statement that a robin is a bird.

Question 11

Prototype is to category as ________ is to ________.

Accepted Answer

Prototype is a specific example of a category just as rose is a specific example of a flower. The other answer choices do not fit the same relationship.

Question 12

As he attempted to spell the word receive,Tim reminded himself "i before e except after c." Tim's self-reminder best illustrates the use of

Accepted Answer

Tim's self-reminder is a heuristic, a mental shortcut used to simplify problem-solving or decision-making. Specifically, the "i before e except after c" rule is a heuristic used to spell words correctly.

Question 13

After spending two hours trying to solve an engineering problem,Amira finally gave up.As she was trying to fall asleep that night,a solution to the problem popped into her head.Amira's experience best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Amira experienced insight, which is a sudden realization of a solution to a problem. This solution does not come from step-by-step reasoning but, rather, from a sudden restructuring of one's understanding of a problem.

Question 14

In the process of classifying objects,people are especially likely to make use of

Accepted Answer

People often use prototypes when classifying objects. These prototypes are mental representations of the typical or ideal examples of a category. When encountering a new object, people compare it to their prototypes to determine which category it belongs to.

Question 15

A chess-playing computer program that routinely calculates all possible outcomes of all possible game moves best illustrates problem solving by means of

Accepted Answer

The chess-playing computer program's ability to calculate all possible outcomes of a game move demonstrates the use of an algorithm, a step-by-step problem-solving procedure that guarantees a correct solution. The availability heuristic, belief perseverance, and framing are all cognitive biases that do not necessarily involve systematic problem-solving procedures like an algorithm.

Question 16

Simple thinking strategies that allow us to solve problems and make judgments efficiently are called

Accepted Answer

The description aligns with the definition of heuristics, which are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that can help us make quick decisions or judgments. The other options (fixations, prototypes, and algorithms) do not accurately describe these thinking strategies.

Question 17

An algorithm is a(n)

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving problems or performing tasks, usually expressed in computer programs. It involves a methodical approach to problem-solving rather than intuitive or trial-and-error methods. So, option D is the correct answer. Options A, B, and C are not the right answer as they do not accurately define what an algorithm actually is.

Question 18

The use of heuristics rather than algorithms is most likely to

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow people to solve problems quickly and with minimal cognitive effort. They are often used in situations where time is limited or resources are scarce. While heuristics may not always lead to the most accurate solutions, they are useful in many real-world situations where quick decision-making is necessary.

Question 19

The confirmation bias refers to the tendency to

Accepted Answer

The confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs or ideas. This can lead to a distortion in our thinking and decision-making processes as we may ignore or dismiss information that contradicts our beliefs, and only seek out information that supports them.

Question 20

A prototype is a

Accepted Answer

A prototype is the best example of a particular category. It is a typical or representative example of a particular concept or idea. For example, a robin is a prototype of a bird, as it has all the typical bird characteristics.

Quiz 8: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence