Question 1

Functional fixedness is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the cognitive bias that leads people to see objects only in terms of their typical use or function, and blocks them from imagining alternative uses. Therefore, the inability to see an object as having a use different from its usual one is the most accurate definition of functional fixedness. Option A is describing transfer of learning, option B is describing a problem-solving method, and option D is describing the inability to use problem-solving strategies.

Question 2

Algorithm is to ____ as heuristic is to ____.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a set of rules for solving a problem, while a heuristic is a mental shortcut that allows people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently.

Question 3

Steve is playing a chess game online against an expert.Even though he is a novice at chess,he is doing well until he's put in a difficult situation.Since Steve is a novice,according to Module 14 his most likely strategy is to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Steve is playing a chess game online...

Question 4

Kal thinks that if a person colors their hair pink,they must be strange and maladjusted.This illustrates that Kal is using a(n):

Accepted Answer

Kal is using a mental shortcut, or heuristic, to make a quick judgment about someone based on their unconventional hair color. This reflects a tendency to rely on preconceived notions or stereotypes instead of taking the time to understand the individual and their unique circumstances.

Question 5

When asked to think about the movie he saw last night,Mel reports that he remembers the car chases because he liked those the most,yet he has forgotten about the poor dialogue and plot.For Mel,the car chases represent a(n):

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic refers to the tendency to rely on readily available information in our memory when making judgments or decisions. In this case, Mel's memory of the car chases is more available to him than his memory of the poor dialogue and plot, so he is more likely to emphasize and remember the car chases.

Question 6

One difference research has revealed between expert and novice computer programmers is that the expert:

Accepted Answer

Experts in computer programming often begin with a broad understanding of the problem and then work their way down to specific solutions. Novices, on the other hand, might start with specific details without fully understanding the broader context, which can lead to less efficient problem-solving.

Question 7

The inability to see atypical and uncommon uses for an object is:

Accepted Answer

The inability to see atypical and uncommon uses for an object is known as functional fixedness. This means that individuals tend to see objects only in their typical or expected uses, limiting their ability to think creatively and come up with alternative solutions.

Question 8

A computer program in 2006 beat chess master Vladimir Kramnik in four out of six games (and tied the other two)by using:

Accepted Answer

The computer program used algorithms, specifically a form of artificial intelligence called deep blue, to analyze possible moves and outcomes in order to make strategic decisions during the chess games.

Question 9

"Rules of thumb" or mental shortcuts are known as:

Accepted Answer

Mental shortcuts are known as heuristics, which refer to cognitive strategies or "rules of thumb" that people use to simplify decision-making and problem-solving. Examples of heuristics include anchoring and adjustment, availability bias, and representativeness heuristic.

Question 10

Travis has developed shortcuts to solving algebraic equations.These shortcuts allow Travis to identify a limited number of calculations and examine them in great depth.Travis is utilizing:

Accepted Answer

Travis is using heuristics, which are problem-solving strategies that involve using shortcuts or rules of thumb to save time and cognitive resources. Algorithms involve a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, and insight involves suddenly realizing the solution to a problem after a period of contemplation or incubation. Semantics involves the meaning and interpretation of language or symbols. None of these fully capture what Travis is doing, but heuristics comes the closest.

Question 11

You are an intern at a giant computer software company.Today you are sitting in a meeting with novice and expert computer programmers discussing the latest project.The project is on writing a program to allow easier Internet surfing.Which of the following are you most likely to hear?

Accepted Answer

Experts often focus on understanding the overall goal and working backwards to ensure that the program meets its intended purpose.

Question 12

Grandma Grace is terrified of flying in an airplane.On her first flight,she kept talking about crashing.Grandma said that the same thing that happened to those 150 victims of that airplane crash was going to happen to her.She demands that next time,she'll drive a car.Grandma Grace's decision making is influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Grandma Grace's decision making is influenced by the availability heuristic, which means that she is basing her decision on the most easily available information, which in this case is the recent airplane crash she heard about. She is assuming that the same thing will happen to her on her future flights, even though such incidents are rare.

Question 13

Why are we more likely to remember the airplane crash that killed 143 people,but tend to forget the hundreds of people killed in car accidents last month in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic suggests that we tend to remember events that are readily available in our memory, such as news stories that receive significant media coverage. The airplane crash would likely receive more media coverage than the car accidents, making it more salient in our memory.

Question 14

The ____ heuristic says that we have a tendency to assume that an object or event belongs in a particular category based on how similar it is to the typical prototype of that category.

Accepted Answer

The representative heuristic says that we make judgments about an object based on how well it seems to represent or match typical exemplars, or prototypes, of the category to which it belongs.

Question 15

Rules that will eventually lead to a solution if followed correctly are called:

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures that lead to a solution if followed correctly. The other options (B, C, and D) are cognitive shortcuts or techniques that may not necessarily lead to a solution, but can help in problem-solving by providing quick estimates or generating multiple ideas.

Question 16

Tom and Allison want to build a play fort.Unfortunately,there is no available lumber to build with.The two think about their problem.Suddenly Tom says,"Let's use the large box that the new refrigerator came in." Allison (who appears confused)argues,"You can't do that! A box isn't a fort." Tom demonstrates ____ while Allison shows ____.

Accepted Answer

Tom demonstrates insight by coming up with a creative solution, while Allison shows functional fixedness by not seeing beyond the box's conventional use.

Question 17

Algorithm is to ____ as heuristic is to ____.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a set of defined, step-by-step rules or procedures for solving a problem, similar to a recipe in cooking. A heuristic, on the other hand, is more like a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that helps in problem-solving but doesn't guarantee a correct solution every time.

Question 18

You must calculate your income tax.You carefully follow the instructions to ultimately determine the amount.The instructions act as a(n):

Accepted Answer

The instructions for calculating income tax involve a specific set of steps that must be followed in order to arrive at the correct amount. This is an example of an algorithm, which is a problem-solving strategy that involves following a specific set of rules or steps to reach a solution. Representative heuristic and availability heuristic involve making judgments based on mental shortcuts and artificial rules are not typically used in problem-solving processes.

Question 19

As you review the recipe for chocolate chip cookies,you realize that the recipe is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A recipe for chocolate chip cookies is an algorithm because it provides a step-by-step procedure for accomplishing a specific goal, in this case, baking cookies. Algorithms are precise sets of instructions that lead to a desired outcome when followed correctly.

Question 20

Every night Donna asks Larry how his day went.She figures he must hate his job because he does nothing but complain about terrible things that happened during the day.When she attends an office party with him,Donna is surprised to find that Larry's coworkers are pleasant and fun and that Larry seems to enjoy what he does.The fact that Larry remembers the negative aspects of his job more than the positive ones is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Larry's tendency to remember the negative aspects of his job more than the positive ones is an example of the availability heuristic. This heuristic refers to our tendency to make judgments based on how easily and readily available information is in our memory. In this case, negative events may be more salient and easier to remember than positive events, leading Larry to overemphasize the negative aspects of his job when he reports to Donna.

Quiz 14: Thought and Language

Functional fixedness is defined as:

Algorithm is to as heuristic is to .

Steve is playing a chess game online against an expert.Even though he is a novice at chess,he is doing well until he's put in a difficult situation.Since Steve is a novice,according to Module 14 his most likely strategy is to:

Kal thinks that if a person colors their hair pink,they must be strange and maladjusted.This illustrates that Kal is using a(n) :

When asked to think about the movie he saw last night,Mel reports that he remembers the car chases because he liked those the most,yet he has forgotten about the poor dialogue and plot.For Mel,the car chases represent a(n) :