Question 1

Prior to estimating the number of people attending a concert, Edward was asked whether there were more or fewer than 1,000 people and Ellen was asked if there were more or fewer than 4,000 people. Edward's estimate of the number of people was much less than Ellen's estimate, suggesting their estimates were influenced by use of the _____.

Accepted Answer

Edward and Ellen were likely influenced by the anchor of the initial questions they were asked (i.e. whether there were more or fewer than 1,000 and 4,000 people). This suggests they were using the anchoring and adjustment heuristic, where they started with an initial number and adjusted their estimate from there. The representativeness heuristic involves judging the likelihood of an event based on how well it fits a stereotype or prototype, which is not applicable in this scenario. The conjunction fallacy involves mistakenly believing that two specific events are more likely to occur together than either event alone, which is also not applicable in this scenario. The availability heuristic involves judging the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind, which is not mentioned in the scenario.

Question 2

To locate a missing receipt that Dennis knows he put in a file, Dennis systematically goes through each of the folders he uses, starting with A and working his way toward Z. This search procedure MOST closely resembles which problem-solving strategy?

Accepted Answer

Dennis is using an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. In this case, he is going through each folder systematically, which is a set of clear and specific instructions. He is not using a heuristic or anchoring and adjustment, which involve more flexible or intuitive problem-solving approaches. Additionally, there is no indication that Dennis is experiencing a mental set, which is a tendency to use familiar strategies or solutions without considering other alternatives.

Question 3

Elliott's credit card bill includes a minimum payment amount. Compared to a situation in which a minimum payment amount is not provided, it is likely that Elliott will make a _____ partial payment, reflecting his use of the _____ heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The anchoring and adjustment heuristic refers to the tendency for people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive (the anchor) when making subsequent judgments or decisions. In the case of Elliott's credit card bill, the minimum payment amount serves as an anchor, which may lead him to make a smaller partial payment than he otherwise would if there were no minimum payment required. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 4

Tim is trying to solve a maze that has 10 paths from the starting point, only one of which leads to the goal. For this type of problem, which would be the BEST approach?

Accepted Answer

Working backward would be the best approach as it involves starting from the goal and figuring out the steps that led to it. This would help Tim eliminate the paths that do not lead to the goal and eventually narrow down to the correct path. The other approaches are not as effective for maze-solving problems. Means-end analysis involves identifying the sub-goals required to reach the end state, but in a maze with multiple paths, it may not be very helpful. Anchoring and adjustment involves using an initial estimate (anchor) and adjusting it based on new information, which may not be appropriate in a maze-solving problem. Insight involves sudden realization or understanding of the solution, which may not occur easily in solving a maze with multiple paths.

Question 5

When asked to quickly estimate the product of 8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1, people give a much larger answer than when asked to quickly estimate the product of 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8. This BEST illustrates the dynamics involved in using _____.

Accepted Answer

The difference in estimates between reversing the order of multiplication indicates the use of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic. When people are asked to estimate a value quickly, they tend to rely on a starting point, or anchor, which in this case is the first number presented. Then they adjust their answer based on that anchor. So when presented with 8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1, the first number presented is larger, so people anchor on a larger number and overestimate the answer, whereas when presented with 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8, the first number presented is smaller, so people anchor on a smaller number and underestimate the answer.

Question 6

People are likely to use _____ to solve anagrams.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are problem-solving strategies that involve shortcuts or efficient rules of thumb, which are likely to be used in solving anagrams. Heuristics help people to quickly narrow down the possible options and find the correct answer without relying on trial and error or algorithms. Insight can also be used in solving anagrams, but it is more of a sudden realization or intuitive understanding of a problem, which may not always be reliable or consistent.

Question 7

Laura wants to buy a car so she is attempting to solve the problems of getting money for a down payment and establishing credit. She realizes there are multiple steps she must follow to achieve her goal. The problem-solving technique that involves accomplishing one step at a time to move closer to a goal is called _____, and the individual steps are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Means-end analysis is a problem-solving technique that involves breaking down a goal into smaller subgoals or steps to achieve it. The individual steps are called subgoals. Therefore, the best choice is B, means-end analysis; subgoals. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because conjunctive analysis does not involve breaking down a problem into smaller steps, and increments are not usually associated with problem-solving techniques.

Question 8

When Olivia and Amanda met for the first time, Olivia's first impression was that Amanda was rather unfriendly. Although subsequent meetings indicted that Amanda may really be friendly, Olivia failed to substantially change her initial impression. This tendency to cling to an initial impression is similar to processes that occur when people _____.

Accepted Answer

The tendency to cling to an initial impression despite subsequent evidence is an example of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic. This heuristic is where people rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive (the anchor) and then make adjustments based on that initial information. In this case, Olivia's initial impression of Amanda served as the anchor, and even though subsequent meetings provided evidence to the contrary, Olivia failed to adjust her impression.

Question 9

Casey is trying to find a creative solution to a problem she is having with her roommate. Because research suggests that frontal cortex activity may _____ insight, when she "thinks outside the box," Casey would likely be _____ successful at solving the problem than would a patient with frontal lobe damage.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Casey is trying to find a creative...

Question 10

The steps used to solve long division and multiplication problems represent the use of _____ in problem solving.

Accepted Answer

The steps used in long division and multiplication problems are systematic and follow a series of defined rules, which is known as algorithm. Heuristics involve using a practical approach to problem solving that may involve shortcuts, mental set refers to a tendency to approach problems in a specific way, and insight involves a sudden realization of a solution without a systematic approach.

Question 11

Cory had been working on a calculus problem for several hours when the best strategy for solving the problem suddenly came to him. It was as if the correct solution path made sense all at once. This BEST illustrates what psychologists call _____.

Accepted Answer

The sudden understanding of the solution to the problem is an example of insight, which refers to the sudden realization of the solution to a problem, typically after a period of unsuccessful effort.

Question 12

The Tower of Hanoi problem (reconfiguring disks on pegs) is best solved using the _____ heuristic, whereas the water lily problem (determining when the pond is half covered) is best solved using the _____ heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The Tower of Hanoi problem requires us to reach a specific goal state by moving objects (disks) from one state to another. This is best solved using the means-end heuristic, which involves breaking down the problem into smaller sub-goals and finding the best way to achieve each sub-goal. On the other hand, the water lily problem involves estimating when half the pond will be covered based on the rate of growth of water lilies. This involves working backward from the desired outcome, and hence is best solved using the working backward heuristic. Therefore, the best choice is B, where means-end is used for the Tower of Hanoi problem, and working backward is used for the water lily problem.

Question 13

A(n) _____ is a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct solution to a problem.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct solution to a problem. It involves a systematic approach to problem-solving that guarantees accuracy and completeness. Heuristics, mental sets, and means-end analysis are problem-solving strategies that do not necessarily guarantee a correct solution.

Question 14

A problem-solving strategy that makes use of subgoals in reducing the distance between start states and goal states is _____.

Accepted Answer

Means-end analysis is a problem-solving strategy that involves setting up subgoals in order to reduce the distance between the current state and the goal state. This involves determining the end goal and then working backwards to determine the steps necessary to achieve that goal. The other options, including the anchoring and adjustment heuristic, working backward, and algorithms, can all be helpful problem-solving strategies, but they do not necessarily involve the use of subgoals to reduce the distance between the start and goal states.

Question 15

Although Terry knew he was supposed to stop at the grocery store on the way home from the gym, he drove right past the store and did not realize he'd forgotten until pulling into his garage. This BEST illustrates what is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

Terry's forgetfulness suggests that he was not paying attention to his plan or his environment, thus engaging in mindless behavior. Mental set and fixation refer to more specific cognitive processes, and insight does not apply to this situation.

Question 16

Stuart knew the key to his girlfriend's apartment was on her key ring, so he systematically tried each successive key until finding the one that unlocked her front door. This strategy illustrates problem solving by means of using _____.

Accepted Answer

Stuart is using an algorithm, which is a specific set of instructions, to solve the problem of unlocking his girlfriend's apartment. He is systematically trying each key until he finds the one that works, which is a step-by-step procedure for solving the problem.

Question 17

One block to problem solving can be mindless behavior, which is _____.

Accepted Answer

Mindless behavior refers to acting on autopilot without paying attention to the specifics of the problem at hand. This can lead to rigid and habitual behavior that ignores important details and can hinder effective problem solving. Choices A, C, and D refer to problem-solving strategies and tactics rather than mindless behavior.

Question 18

Rigid habitual behavior in which we fail to carefully attend to the details of the present situation is to _____ as a new way to understand a problem that immediately gives you the solution is to _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rigid habitual behavior in which we fail...

Question 19

Which would be an example of an algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Calculating miles per gallon on a long-distance trip requires a specific set of steps that can be followed systematically, making it an algorithm. A and D involve decision-making and cannot be easily broken down into a set of steps, and B does not involve any kind of systematic process.

Question 20

In an effort to quickly solve puzzles we might use _____, but to guarantee solutions we should use _____.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are strategies derived from experience with similar problems, used for quick, but not always optimal, solutions. Algorithms are step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution to a problem, albeit sometimes slower than heuristics.

Quiz 6: Section 2: Thinking and Intelligence

To locate a missing receipt that Dennis knows he put in a file, Dennis systematically goes through each of the folders he uses, starting with A and working his way toward Z. This search procedure MOST closely resembles which problem-solving strategy?

Elliott's credit card bill includes a minimum payment amount. Compared to a situation in which a minimum payment amount is not provided, it is likely that Elliott will make a _ partial payment, reflecting his use of the _ heuristic.

Tim is trying to solve a maze that has 10 paths from the starting point, only one of which leads to the goal. For this type of problem, which would be the BEST approach?

When asked to quickly estimate the product of 87654321, people give a much larger answer than when asked to quickly estimate the product of 12345678. This BEST illustrates the dynamics involved in using _____.

People are likely to use _____ to solve anagrams.

Casey is trying to find a creative solution to a problem she is having with her roommate. Because research suggests that frontal cortex activity may _ insight, when she "thinks outside the box," Casey would likely be _ successful at solving the problem than would a patient with frontal lobe damage.