Question 1

A logical, step-by-step procedure that, if followed, will eventually solve a problem is called a(n)_________.
A)algorithm
B)heuristic
C)prototype
D)brainstorming

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a detailed, step-by-step procedure designed to solve a specific problem or accomplish a particular task. It is a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem.

Question 2

Althea was working on her car and found a piece left over when she put her carburetor back together.Her neighbor's car was the same make and model, so she knocked on his door to ask if she could take his carburetor apart one piece at a time to determine where she went wrong.This is an example of the ________ heuristic.
A)working backward
B)working from a model
C)means-end analysis
D)in-your-dreams analysis

Accepted Answer

The answer of Althea was working on her car and...

Question 3

Your "problem" is that you want a new car.Which of the following BEST demonstrates what you should do in the preparation stage for this problem?
A)Ask friends where they got their cars, make a list of dealers to visit.
B)Choose a color, make, and model, then log onto the Internet to locate a dealer who has one like this.
C)Determine how much money you can spend, and whether your goal is to have reliable transportation or to make an impression on others.
D)Ask your parents to buy you a car for your birthday.

Accepted Answer

In the preparation stage for solving a problem, it's important to define your goals and constraints. Option C best demonstrates this by suggesting you determine your budget and whether your primary goal is reliable transportation or making an impression, which are crucial first steps before making further decisions.

Question 4

Before a new product arrives in the store, a manufacturer goes through several stages including designing, building, testing a prototype, setting up a production line, and so on.This approach is called _________.
A)working backward
B)means-end analysis
C)divergent thinking
D)creating subgoals

Accepted Answer

Creating subgoals involves breaking down a task into smaller, manageable parts, which is what a manufacturer does by going through stages like designing, building, testing a prototype, and setting up a production line before a new product arrives in the store.

Question 5

Rosa is shopping in a new supermarket and wants to find a specific type of mustard.Which problem-solving strategy that is sometimes a barrier to achieving solutions would be most efficient?
A)algorithm
B)heuristic
C)instinct
D)mental set

Accepted Answer

Mental set is a cognitive bias that can lead to problem-solving errors. It occurs when people rely too heavily on past experiences and fail to consider new information or perspectives. In this case, Rosa's mental set may lead her to focus on the types of mustard she is familiar with, rather than exploring the entire selection available in the supermarket.

Question 6

Murdock wants to get to his sister's new house, which he knows is north of where he is right now.Stranded without a map or a telephone, he decides to keep driving north in the hopes of finding the house.This is an example of the ________ heuristic.
A)algorithm
B)working backward
C)creating subgoals
D)means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

Means-end analysis involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts and taking steps to reduce the difference between the current state and the goal state. Murdock's approach of driving north to reach his sister's house is a simple form of means-end analysis, as he is taking direct action to reduce the distance between his current location and his goal.

Question 7

The text illustrates how using a(n)________ can help us choose a career.
A)algorithm
B)heuristic
C)artificial concept
D)hierarchy

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making. Choosing a career can be a complex decision, and heuristics can help simplify this process by allowing individuals to quickly filter through options based on key criteria or personal values.

Question 8

Simple rules used in problem-solving that do not guarantee a solution but offer a likely shortcut to it, are called _________.
A)algorithms
B)inductions
C)heuristics
D)perceptual sets

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are simple, efficient rules, either hard-coded by evolutionary processes or learned, which help in making decisions, forming judgments, or solving problems quickly and with minimal effort. They don't guarantee a correct solution but often lead to a satisfactory one.

Question 9

The word "animal" represents a(n)________ concept.
A)subordinate
B)higher-order
C)lower-order
D)basic

Accepted Answer

The word "animal" represents a higher-order concept because it is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of more specific groups and instances within it, such as different types of animals (e.g., dogs, cats, birds). Higher-order concepts are more general and abstract, encompassing lower-order or more specific concepts.

Question 10

When you are identifying facts, distinguishing relevant from irrelevant facts, and defining a goal, you are in the ________ stage of problem-solving
A)initial
B)preparation
C)production
D)attribution

Accepted Answer

In the preparation stage of problem-solving, individuals identify facts, distinguish relevant from irrelevant facts, and define a goal. This stage involves gathering and organizing information necessary for developing a strategy to solve the problem.

Question 11

Problem-solving is the act of moving _________.
A)from a given state to a goal state
B)from emotion to motivation
C)from sensation to perception
D)from here to there

Accepted Answer

Problem-solving involves moving from a given state, where there is a problem, to a goal state, where the problem is resolved.

Question 12

During the production stage of problem-solving, you should generate _________.
A)possible solutions
B)relevant facts
C)irrelevant facts
D)your ultimate goal(s)

Accepted Answer

During the production stage of problem-solving, the focus is on generating possible solutions to the problem at hand. This involves brainstorming and considering various ways to address the issue.

Question 13

Lamar is thinking about all the ways he can come up with the money he needs to buy the used Yugo he saw advertised in the "Car Trader" yesterday.Lamar is _________.
A)engaged in wishful thinking
B)engaged in stupid thinking
C)working in the evaluation stage of problem-solving
D)working in the production stage of problem-solving

Accepted Answer

Lamar is generating possible solutions to his problem, which is characteristic of the production stage of problem-solving.

Question 14

Frederica has been hit with a difficult problem at work, and she has no immediate idea how she will solve it.Since it is the end of the work day, she decides to go home and have a good dinner with her partner and sleep on the issue.She hopes that a good night of sleep will help her see a solution more clearly.Frederica is hoping that a(n)________ period will help her solve the work issue.
A)hibernation
B)formalized
C)precontemplation
D)incubation

Accepted Answer

Frederica is hoping that an incubation period, which refers to a time of rest or inactivity that allows for the subconscious processing of problems leading to insights or solutions, will help her solve the work issue.

Question 15

You develop ________ that are interrelated in order to better learn the material in this course.
A)hierarchies
B)artificial concepts
C)natural concepts
D)prototypes

Accepted Answer

Hierarchies are developed to better learn material in a course because they organize information in a structured way, making it easier to understand relationships between different concepts and to assimilate new information efficiently.

Question 16

Professor Wahl's counseling class is engaged in small-group generation of possible solutions for helping low-income families get the counseling they need.This class is in the ________ stage of problem-solving.
A)brainstorming
B)preparation
C)production
D)evaluation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Professor Wahl's counseling class is engaged in...

Question 17

The use of an algorithm might be most useful for which of the following tasks?
A)deciding which attraction you want to visit at an amusement park
B)deciding on a partner
C)computing your grade point average
D)learning to paint an abstract picture

Accepted Answer

Computing your grade point average is a task that involves numerical calculations based on a set of rules or formulas, which is precisely what algorithms are designed to handle efficiently.

Question 18

The final stage in problem-solving is called the ________ stage.
A)recompense
B)reflection
C)evaluation
D)revision

Accepted Answer

The final stage in problem-solving is called the evaluation stage, where the solution is assessed to determine its effectiveness.

Question 19

A means-end analysis, working backward, and creating subgoals are all examples of _________.
A)mnemonic devices
B)algorithmic solutions
C)heuristics
D)problem-solving sets

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of heuristics, which are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that help simplify problem solving.

Question 20

When shown a picture of a poodle, most adults will first classify it as _____, which would be an example of a basic-level concept.
A)an animal
B)a dog
C)a mammal
D)a highbred

Accepted Answer

Most adults will first classify a poodle as a dog, which is considered a basic-level concept. Basic-level concepts provide the most useful and predictive information, as they balance specificity and generality better than other levels of categorization, such as superordinate (e.g., animal) or subordinate (e.g., poodle) categories.

Quiz 8: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

A logical, step-by-step procedure that, if followed, will eventually solve a problem is called a(n) _________.

Your "problem" is that you want a new car.Which of the following BEST demonstrates what you should do in the preparation stage for this problem?

Before a new product arrives in the store, a manufacturer goes through several stages including designing, building, testing a prototype, setting up a production line, and so on.This approach is called _________.

Rosa is shopping in a new supermarket and wants to find a specific type of mustard.Which problem-solving strategy that is sometimes a barrier to achieving solutions would be most efficient?

Murdock wants to get to his sister's new house, which he knows is north of where he is right now.Stranded without a map or a telephone, he decides to keep driving north in the hopes of finding the house.This is an example of the ________ heuristic.

The text illustrates how using a(n) ________ can help us choose a career.

Simple rules used in problem-solving that do not guarantee a solution but offer a likely shortcut to it, are called _________.

The word "animal" represents a(n) ________ concept.

When you are identifying facts, distinguishing relevant from irrelevant facts, and defining a goal, you are in the ________ stage of problem-solving

Problem-solving is the act of moving _________.

During the production stage of problem-solving, you should generate _________.

Lamar is thinking about all the ways he can come up with the money he needs to buy the used Yugo he saw advertised in the "Car Trader" yesterday.Lamar is _________.

You develop ________ that are interrelated in order to better learn the material in this course.

Professor Wahl's counseling class is engaged in small-group generation of possible solutions for helping low-income families get the counseling they need.This class is in the ________ stage of problem-solving.

The use of an algorithm might be most useful for which of the following tasks?

The final stage in problem-solving is called the ________ stage.

A means-end analysis, working backward, and creating subgoals are all examples of _________.

When shown a picture of a poodle, most adults will first classify it as _____, which would be an example of a basic-level concept.