Question 1

The influence that mental set can have on problem solving was first demonstrated by ____ in his "water-jar" problems study.

Accepted Answer

Abraham Luchins first demonstrated the influence of mental set on problem solving through his "water-jar" problems study, which showed how previous solutions could influence the approach to solving new, but similar, problems.

Question 2

The tendency to seek information that supports our beliefs,while ignoring disconfirming information is known as the ____.

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the psychological tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities.

Question 3

The tendency to continue using solutions that have worked in the past,even though better alternatives may exist is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Mental set refers to the tendency to approach situations in a certain way because that method worked in the past, even if new or better alternatives are available. It's a type of cognitive bias that limits thinking to the use of solutions that have previously been successful.

Question 4

A major disadvantage to the problem solving techniques of trial and error and algorithms is that they are ____.

Accepted Answer

Trial and error and algorithms can be very time-consuming because they often involve exhaustive testing of all possible solutions or following a complex set of rules, respectively, which can take a significant amount of time.

Question 5

How do we form concepts?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do we form concepts?
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Question 6

Why is categorization adaptive?

Accepted Answer

Categorization is adaptive because it allows individuals to quickly process information, make predictions, and respond to new situations based on past experiences, thus saving time and cognitive resources.

Question 7

What is the chief advantage of heuristics?

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are strategies or approaches that simplify decision making, aiming for a satisfactory solution rather than a perfect one. They usually save time by reducing the complexity of decision processes, especially in situations where finding an optimal solution is impractical due to time constraints.

Question 8

According to the text,____ is the thought process you engage in to overcome obstacles in order to attain your goals.

Accepted Answer

Problem-solving is the thought process involved in overcoming obstacles to achieve goals. It involves identifying the problem, generating potential solutions, evaluating these solutions, and then implementing the most effective one.

Question 9

A problem-solving strategy that involves following a general rule of thumb to reduce the number of solutions is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are strategies or approaches that simplify decision making by using practical methods not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. They help in reducing the number of possible solutions to make problem-solving easier and quicker.

Question 10

Despite having various strategies to solve problems,psychologists have identified a number of cognitive tendencies that act as barriers to problem solving.Which of the following is NOT a common internal obstacle?

Accepted Answer

Social desirability bias is not an internal cognitive obstacle to problem solving; it refers to the tendency to respond to questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others, which is more relevant to social and survey contexts than to internal problem-solving processes.

Question 11

A problem-solving strategy that involves trying one possible solution after another until one works is called ____.

Accepted Answer

Trial and error is a fundamental method of problem-solving which involves multiple attempts to reach a solution. It is characterized by repeatedly trying different solutions until one finds a way that works.

Question 12

The process of forming concepts is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Categorization is the process through which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood, which essentially involves forming concepts.

Question 13

When scientists set out to find evidence to support their hypotheses,they need to be careful about falling prey to which problem-solving obstacle?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. Scientists must be cautious of this bias to ensure their research and conclusions are objective and based on evidence rather than preconceived notions.

Question 14

A problem-solving strategy that involves a sudden realization of how a problem can be solved is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Insight is the term used to describe a sudden realization or understanding of how to solve a problem.

Question 15

Like the heart that pumps life-giving blood throughout the body,or the lungs that replenish oxygen to this blood,the general scientific consensus is that humans could not survive without engaging in ____.

Accepted Answer

Categorization is the process of organizing information into categories. It is a fundamental cognitive process that helps us to make sense of the world around us. Without categorization, we would not be able to identify objects, remember information, or make decisions.

Question 16

The most representative member of a concept is known as a ____.

Accepted Answer

A prototype is considered the most representative or typical example of a particular concept, serving as a cognitive reference point for the category it represents.

Question 17

A problem-solving strategy which involves following a specific rule or step-by-step procedure until you inevitably produce the correct solution is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a problem-solving strategy characterized by a specific set of instructions or steps that guarantees a correct solution to a problem if followed correctly.

Question 18

Craig is a reporter who needs to interview high school students for an article.He decides that the best place to find students to interview on a weekend is at the local mall.The problem solving strategy that Craig used to locate students is called a(n)____.

Accepted Answer

Heuristic is a problem-solving strategy that uses a practical method or various shortcuts to produce solutions that may not be optimal but are sufficient for the immediate goals. Craig used a heuristic by choosing a common gathering place (the local mall) for high school students on weekends, rather than systematically checking all possible locations.

Question 19

Computers are based on ____,and that is the reason they are inflexible in their functioning.

Accepted Answer

Computers operate based on algorithms, which are precise sets of instructions that dictate their operations. This reliance on predefined algorithms is what makes computers inflexible, as they cannot deviate from these instructions unless programmed to do so.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct observation?

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for calculations or problem-solving and are designed to guarantee success if followed correctly, unlike heuristics or trial and error methods which do not guarantee success and may not always be efficient.

Quiz 8: Language, thinking, and Intelligence