Question 1

Millie is stumped by a problem in her pre-calculus text.She furtively glances at the answer provided in the back of the text to get an idea of how the solution should look before she returns to the problem.Millie's strategy most closely resembles the problem-solving heuristic of:
A) forming subgoals.
B) trial and error.
C) working backward.
D) insight.

Accepted Answer

Millie is using the problem-solving heuristic of working backward by looking at the provided answer and working backwards towards the solution.

Question 2

In problems of _____,a person must identify the existing relationships among the elements presented and then construct a new relationship among them.
A) arrangement
B) inducing structure
C) transformation
D) prescription

Accepted Answer

Inducing structure problems involve identifying the relationships among the presented elements and using that information to create a new relationship or structure. Arrangement problems involve arranging given elements in a certain order or sequence, transformation problems involve changing elements using a set of rules, and prescription problems involve following a set of instructions or guidelines.

Question 3

Kent and Kirsten are both trying to reduce their consumer debt.Kent isolates several more concrete problems he can solve to achieve his goal,such as paying the highest-interest debts first and freezing credit card spending.Kirsten simply pays her largest debt first because this would seem to be the fastest way to move her debt as close to zero as possible.Kent's plan reflects the problem-solving strategy of _____,while Kirsten's method illustrates the strategy of _____.
A) forming subgoals;trial and error
B) means-end analysis;trial and error
C) working backward;means-end analysis
D) forming subgoals;means-end analysis

Accepted Answer

Kent's plan reflects the problem-solving strategy of forming subgoals, which involves breaking down the overall goal into smaller, more manageable subgoals. Kirsten's method illustrates the strategy of means-end analysis, which involves identifying the ultimate goal and working backward to determine the steps needed to achieve it. Therefore, the best answer is D, which includes both forming subgoals and means-end analysis.

Question 4

_____ problems consist of an initial state,a goal state,and a method for changing the initial state into the goal state.
A) Arrangement
B) Inducing structure
C) Transformation
D) Prescriptive

Accepted Answer

The given definition matches with the definition of transformation problems where there is an initial state, a goal state, and a process or method to transform the initial state into the goal state. Arrangement problems involve arranging items in a particular order, Inducing structure problems involve identifying relationships among given items, and Prescriptive problems provide a solution based on a set of rules or protocols.

Question 5

_____ involves repeated tests for differences between the desired outcome and what currently exists.
A) Forming subgoals
B) Means-ends analysis
C) Insight
D) Trial and error

Accepted Answer

Means-ends analysis involves repeated tests for differences between the desired outcome and what currently exists, as it is a problem-solving strategy that aims to reduce the gap between the current state and the goal state by breaking the problem down into smaller, more manageable parts.

Question 6

The apparent suddenness of insightful problem solutions:
A) may rest in part on the foundation of trial and error.
B) may be based on the availability heuristic.
C) has been affirmed by empirical research.
D) requires the application of confirmation bias.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The apparent suddenness of insightful problem solutions:
A)...

Question 7

_____ refers to the tendency of old patterns of problem solving to persist.
A) Mental set
B) Representativeness heuristic
C) Availability heuristic
D) Syllogistic frame

Accepted Answer

Mental set is the tendency of individuals to rely on previous problem-solving strategies that have been successful in the past rather than trying new approaches. It can limit creativity and problem-solving abilities when faced with new or unfamiliar situations.

Question 8

Janelle is solving anagrams;Kamika is puzzling over verbal analogies;Lamar is playing chess with a friend.Which alternative below correctly matches each individual with the type of problem he or she is solving?
A) Janelle-arrangement;Kamika-transformation;Lamar-inducing structure
B) Janelle-transformation;Kamika-inducing structure;Lamar-arrangement
C) Janelle-arrangement;Kamika-inducing structure;Lamar-transformation
D) Janelle-transformation;Kamika-arrangement;Lamar-inducing structure

Accepted Answer

Janelle is solving anagrams, which involves rearranging letters to form new words or phrases - this is an arrangement problem. Therefore, option A and D can be eliminated. 
Kamika is puzzling over verbal analogies, which involve identifying relationships between pairs of words and using those relationships to find a similar analogical pair - this is an inducing structure problem. Therefore, we can eliminate option B. 
Lamar is playing chess with a friend, which involves analyzing the structure of the game board, planning moves, and predicting outcomes - this is a transformation problem. Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Question 9

Which problem-solving strategy or method is correctly matched with its definition?
A) Means-ends analysis: dividing a problem into intermediate steps
B) Forming subgoals: focusing on a problem's goal rather than its starting point
C) Working backward: reducing the apparent difference between the current state of the problem and the goal
D) Insight: experiencing a sudden awareness of the relationships among a problem's components

Accepted Answer

Insight is correctly defined as experiencing a sudden awareness of the relationships among a problem's components, which is a moment of clarity that often leads to a solution.

Question 10

A political science professor attempts to facilitate her students' completion of a term paper assignment by requiring to first submit a topic statement,then a list of references,then a draft of the introduction,then,finally,the completed paper.The professor is encouraging her students to use the problem-solving strategy of:
A) forming subgoals.
B) working backward.
C) means-ends analysis.
D) trial and error.

Accepted Answer

The professor is breaking down the larger task (completing a term paper) into smaller, more manageable tasks (submitting a topic statement, a list of references, a draft of the introduction, and finally the completed paper). This approach of forming subgoals helps students tackle the assignment step by step, making the overall process less daunting and more structured.

Question 11

Dr.Ireland's class is attempting to find derivatives,whereas Dr.Jamison's class is developing campaign strategies for a local politician.Which of the following statements is MOST likely TRUE?
A) Dr.Ireland's class is solving a well-defined problem.
B) Dr.Jamison's class is solving a well-defined problem.
C) Dr.Ireland's class is using syllogistic reasoning.
D) Dr.Jamison's class is using familiarity heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Finding derivatives is a specific mathematical problem with clear rules and steps to follow, making it a well-defined problem. Developing campaign strategies for a local politician, on the other hand, involves multiple variables and subjective decisions, making it less well-defined. Therefore, A is the most likely true statement. Neither class is using syllogistic reasoning or familiarity heuristic as these concepts do not apply to their respective tasks.

Question 12

Which of the following problem types is correctly matched with its description?
A) Arrangement-moving from an initial to a goal state according to a specific method
B) Inducing structure-identifying relationships among problem elements and constructing new relationships
C) Transformation-rearranging or recombining elements to satisfy a particular criterion
D) Transformation-identifying relationships among problem elements and constructing new relationships

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following problem types is...

Question 13

Thomas Edison invented the light-bulb only because he experimented with thousands of different kinds of materials for a filament before he found one that worked (carbon).This shows that at the most basic level,we can solve problems through _____.
A) the availability heuristic
B) means-ends analysis
C) insight
D) trial and error

Accepted Answer

Trial and error is the best option because Thomas Edison carried out repeated experiments with different materials until he found the one that worked, suggesting a process of trial and error.

Question 14

_____ is defined as a sudden awareness of the relationship among problem elements;it is thought to lead rapidly to the problem's solution.
A) Convergent thinking
B) Divergent thinking
C) Insight
D) Creativity

Accepted Answer

Insight is defined as a sudden realization of the solution to a problem that was previously not apparent. It involves restructuring the problem in one's mind to see the problem elements in a new way and leads to a solution that appears obvious and straightforward. Convergent thinking involves finding the single best solution to a problem through logical and systematic thinking, while divergent thinking involves generating multiple solutions to a problem. Creativity is the ability to come up with original and imaginative ideas. While insight is a component of creativity, it is not the same thing.

Question 15

In the context of problem solving,the most frequently used problem-solving heuristic is:
A) forming subgoals.
B) means-ends analysis.
C) insight.
D) trial and error.

Accepted Answer

Means-ends analysis is a problem-solving heuristic that involves breaking down a problem into smaller parts (the means) and identifying the end goal. Then, steps are taken to reduce the difference between the means and the end goal. It is the most frequently used problem-solving heuristic. Forming subgoals is also a common heuristic, but it is less frequently used than means-ends analysis. Insight and trial and error are problem-solving strategies that are less systematic than heuristics.

Question 16

For which of the following types of problems is the evaluation of solutions LEAST likely to prove difficult?
A) Well-defined problems
B) Ill-defined problems
C) Divergent thinking problems
D) Associative thinking problems

Accepted Answer

Well-defined problems have clear and specific goals, criteria for success, and constraints, making it easier to evaluate solutions based on these predefined factors.

Question 17

_____ problems require the problem solver to rearrange or recombine elements in a way that will satisfy a certain criterion.
A) Arrangement
B) Inducing structure
C) Transformation
D) Prescriptive

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____ problems require the problem solver to...

Question 18

Which of the following impediments to effective problem solving is incorrectly matched with an illustrative problem?
A) Confirmation bias-problem of security in the Middle East
B) Functional fixedness-water jar problem
C) Mental set-water jar problem
D) Functional fixedness-candle problem

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following impediments to effective...

Question 19

Which of the following is a key characteristic of insight?
A) Brevity
B) Complexity
C) Uniqueness
D) Suddenness

Accepted Answer

Insight is often characterized by a sudden realization or understanding, rather than a gradual or deliberate thought process.

Question 20

The study of insight is associated with the German psychologist _____;he studied problem solving among _____.
A) Kohler;chimpanzees
B) Kohler;humans
C) Wundt;cats
D) Wundt;humans

Accepted Answer

The study of insight is associated with the German psychologist Kohler, who studied problem-solving among chimpanzees. Option B is also partially correct as Kohler also studied problem solving among humans, but the more specific answer is A. Options C and D are incorrect as they do not relate to insight or problem-solving studies.

Quiz 7: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

Millie is stumped by a problem in her pre-calculus text.She furtively glances at the answer provided in the back of the text to get an idea of how the solution should look before she returns to the problem.Millie's strategy most closely resembles the problem-solving heuristic of:

In problems of _____,a person must identify the existing relationships among the elements presented and then construct a new relationship among them.

_____ problems consist of an initial state,a goal state,and a method for changing the initial state into the goal state.

_____ involves repeated tests for differences between the desired outcome and what currently exists.

The apparent suddenness of insightful problem solutions:

_____ refers to the tendency of old patterns of problem solving to persist.

Janelle is solving anagrams;Kamika is puzzling over verbal analogies;Lamar is playing chess with a friend.Which alternative below correctly matches each individual with the type of problem he or she is solving?

Which problem-solving strategy or method is correctly matched with its definition?

Dr.Ireland's class is attempting to find derivatives,whereas Dr.Jamison's class is developing campaign strategies for a local politician.Which of the following statements is MOST likely TRUE?

Which of the following problem types is correctly matched with its description?

Thomas Edison invented the light-bulb only because he experimented with thousands of different kinds of materials for a filament before he found one that worked (carbon) .This shows that at the most basic level,we can solve problems through _____.

_____ is defined as a sudden awareness of the relationship among problem elements;it is thought to lead rapidly to the problem's solution.

In the context of problem solving,the most frequently used problem-solving heuristic is:

For which of the following types of problems is the evaluation of solutions LEAST likely to prove difficult?

_____ problems require the problem solver to rearrange or recombine elements in a way that will satisfy a certain criterion.

Which of the following impediments to effective problem solving is incorrectly matched with an illustrative problem?

Which of the following is a key characteristic of insight?

The study of insight is associated with the German psychologist _;he studied problem solving among _.