Question 1

Johannes has been a car mechanic for many years and is very good at diagnosing problems with cars.However,when an electric car comes into the garage,his approach to diagnosing the problem is unsuccessful.Johannes failure is likely the result of
A)an operator.
B)a prototype.
C)an anchoring effect.
D)a mental set.

Accepted Answer

Johannes' failure to diagnose the problem with an electric car is likely due to a mental set, which is a tendency to approach problems in the same way that has been successful in the past. As an experienced car mechanic, Johannes may have a mental set that leads him to focus on mechanical or combustion engine issues, rather than understanding the unique features of electric cars.

Question 2

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men.One student is described as ambitious,athletic,and assertive.Why are most people likely to think this description refers to a male student?
A)The anchoring effect can lead to gender bias.
B)They are using the representativeness heuristic.
C)People seek only confirming information.
D)People tend to make relative comparisons.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the representativeness heuristic, where people rely on stereotypes or prototypes to make judgments. In this case, the stereotype is that males are typically more ambitious, athletic, and assertive. Therefore, people are more likely to assume that the student described is male.

Question 3

Which of the following is true about the use of the representativeness heuristic to make judgments?
A)Use of the representativeness heuristic almost always leads to incorrect judgments.
B)Use of the representativeness heuristic almost always leads to correct judgments.
C)In many cases the representativeness heuristic leads to correct judgments,but it can also lead to biased judgments in other situations.
D)The representativeness heuristic is used for solving well-defined problems,but is not relevant for making judgments.

Accepted Answer

The use of the representativeness heuristic can lead to correct judgments in many cases, but it can also lead to biased judgments in other situations. The key is to be aware of when it is appropriate to use the representativeness heuristic and when it may be leading to biased judgments.

Question 4

Riley has figured out how to unlock his bedroom door with a paper clip.What has he most likely overcome in his new use of the paper clip?
A)functional fixedness
B)the representational problem
C)the representative heuristic
D)the confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the tendency to perceive objects as only able to be used in their traditional or usual way. In this case, the paper clip was originally intended for binding papers together but Riley was able to see it as a tool to unlock his door, demonstrating that he has overcome functional fixedness. The other options do not apply as they are not relevant to this situation.

Question 5

Compared to a heuristic,an algorithm is more likely to
A)involve specific rules.
B)require following a step-by-step procedure.
C)give you a precise answer to a problem.
D)involve intuition about how to solve a problem.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compared to a heuristic,an algorithm is more...

Question 6

In a research study, participants are told that Louis has lived in Boston his whole life. They are then asked which is more likely: A) Louis is a baseball fan, or B) Louis is a baseball fan who roots for the Boston Red Sox. Which of the following is true?
A) Participants who answer 'A' are correct.
B) Participants who answer 'A' have committed the conjunction fallacy.
C) Participants who answer 'B' are demonstrating belief perseverance.
D) Participants who answer 'B' have committed the conjunction fallacy.

Accepted Answer

Participants who answer 'B' have committed the conjunction fallacy, which is the tendency to believe that the co-occurrence of two events is more likely than the occurrence of one event alone, even when there is no logical basis for this belief. In this case, it is more likely that Louis is a baseball fan in general than that he is both a baseball fan and a fan of a specific team like the Boston Red Sox. Answer A does not reflect the conjunction fallacy but is not necessarily correct either, as there is no information to suggest that Louis likes baseball more than any other sport.

Question 7

The television character MacGyver was famous for using everyday objects to get out of trouble.In one episode,for example,MacGyver used the aluminum foil wrapper from a stick of gum to replace a blown electrical fuse.The MacGyver character clearly did NOT suffer from what cognitive obstacle to problem solving?
A)the anchoring effect
B)confirmation bias
C)functional fixedness
D)the representative heuristic

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the cognitive obstacle where an individual sees an object as having only one particular use and cannot imagine a new or different use for it. In the given example of MacGyver using a gum wrapper as an electrical fuse, he clearly did not suffer from functional fixedness and instead demonstrated his ability to think creatively and find alternate uses for everyday objects. The other options, anchoring effect, confirmation bias, and representative heuristic, are all different types of cognitive biases and do not necessarily relate to the specific problem-solving skills displayed by MacGyver.

Question 8

Frank mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position due to __________________.
A)the representativeness heuristic
B)the availability heuristic
C)anchoring effect
D)confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

Frank's mistaken belief is likely due to the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind. In this case, Frank may have more recent and salient examples of words that begin with "k" rather than words with "k" in the third position, leading him to believe that there are more words that begin with "k".

Question 9

In the nine-dot problem discussed in your textbook,the rules do not specify that the lines cannot extend beyond the dots;however,most people try to find a solution that follows this non-existent rule anyway.This is an example of
A)the anchoring effect.
B)belief perseverance
C)a goal state
D)a self-imposed cognitive obstacle.

Accepted Answer

The fact that most people try to find a solution within the boundaries of the dots, even though the problem does not specify this constraint, suggests that they are imposing a cognitive obstacle on themselves. This self-imposed obstacle can prevent them from finding creative solutions to the problem.

Question 10

Which of the following is true regarding cognitive obstacles?
A)Cognitive obstacles are often self-imposed.
B)Cognitive obstacles can be overcome by using a mental set.
C)Cognitive obstacles are always caused by the parameters of the problem itself.
D)Cognitive obstacles can be overcome by using functional fixedness.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive obstacles are often caused by our own thought patterns and preconceptions, rather than the parameters of the problem itself. Therefore, they are often self-imposed and can be overcome by recognizing and changing our thinking.

Question 11

A loose screw on the visor causes it to drop down while Ben drives;however,he keeps forgetting to take a screwdriver out to the car to fix it.When he notices the visor drop again,he reaches into his pocket for a dime he then uses to tighten the screw holding the visor.What problem-solving difficulty did Ben overcome?
A)relative comparison
B)functional fixedness
C)poor problem representation
D)the representative heuristic

Accepted Answer

Ben overcame the problem-solving difficulty of functional fixedness, which is the tendency to see objects as functioning only in their usual or customary way, and not in any other way that might solve the problem. By using a dime instead of a screwdriver, Ben thought creatively and outside of the usual solution to fix the visor.

Question 12

When Howie's old girlfriend used to get upset with him,he could smooth things over by buying flowers or chocolates for her.He keeps trying this strategy with his current girlfriend,but she gets angry with him each time.It appears that Howie has developed _______________,which is interfering with the development of a new relationship strategy.
A)a mental set
B)an anchoring effect
C)a prototype
D)a goal state

Accepted Answer

Howie has developed a mental set, which is a tendency to approach problem-solving with a particular strategy that worked in the past. This mental set is interfering with Howie's ability to develop a new relationship strategy that might work better with his current girlfriend. Howie is stuck in his old pattern of behavior and needs to develop a mindset that is open and adaptable to new experiences.

Question 13

The tendency to solve problems using procedures or strategies that worked in the past on similar problems is called
A)the availability heuristic.
B)the anchoring effect.
C)a mental set.
D)the representativeness heuristic.

Accepted Answer

A mental set is a tendency to approach new problems with a mindset based on past solutions that may or may not be helpful. This can limit problem-solving abilities and prevent individuals from seeing alternative solutions. The other options are related to different cognitive biases and heuristics.

Question 14

Which of the following is a heuristic approach to determining how many brownies to make for a party?
A)Make the same number as you did for your last party because you recall that number being about right.
B)Multiply the number of people invited by the number of brownies you want each person to have.
C)Determine the number of brownies in each batch and then determine which multiple of that number is closest the estimated number of brownies needed.
D)Estimate the number of brownies each invitee will eat and then sum the estimates.

Accepted Answer

A heuristic approach is a shortcut or rule of thumb that can be used to make a quick decision without necessarily considering all available information. Option A is a heuristic approach because it relies on the memory of a previous similar event to determine the number of brownies needed, rather than calculating it based on the number of guests or estimated consumption. While it may not always be accurate, it can be a quick and easy way to make a decision.

Question 15

The _______________ occurs when an individual believes the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories is more likely than finding any member of one of the larger,general categories.
A)anchoring effect
B)representativeness error
C)confirmation bias
D)conjunction fallacy

Accepted Answer

The conjunction fallacy occurs when an individual believes the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories is more likely than finding any member of one of the larger, general categories. This goes against basic probability theory and is a common error in judgment. The other options (anchoring effect, representativeness error, and confirmation bias) are all cognitive biases as well but do not specifically involve the probability of finding specific members in categories.

Question 16

When people make the conjunction fallacy,it is most likely because
A)they are using an algorithmic approach.
B)their judgment is being affected by an anchor.
C)they are using the representativeness heuristic.
D)they are just guessing randomly.

Accepted Answer

The conjunction fallacy occurs when people believe that the conjunction of two events is more probable than one of the events alone, which contradicts the laws of probability. This is due to people using the representativeness heuristic, which leads them to focus on the descriptive details of the situation rather than the statistical likelihoods. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. The other choices do not accurately reflect the process that leads to the conjunction fallacy.

Question 17

When someone does not see that a tool can be used for something other than its intended purpose,then ________________ can be said to have occurred.
A)the anchoring effect
B)confirmation bias
C)functional fixedness
D)the representative heuristic

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness refers to the cognitive bias where an individual is unable to see alternative uses of an object beyond its originally intended purpose. This can hinder problem-solving and creativity.

Question 18

Kendra has been a professional chef for 20 years.Instead of following recipes step by step,she uses her experience to guide her cooking,adding a pinch of salt here,or a little extra oil there.Kendra's approach to cooking is an example of
A)functional fixedness.
B)a heuristic.
C)a mental set.
D)an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

Kendra's approach to cooking is an example of a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or problem-solving strategy that relies on past experiences and knowledge to inform current decision-making. She is not following a strict set of rules or instructions (algorithm), nor is she limited by preconceived notions (mental set) or unable to see a new use for objects (functional fixedness). Instead, she is drawing on her expertise and intuition to make adjustments as needed in her cooking.

Question 19

Which decision-making strategy involves making judgments of likelihood based on how well an example represents a specific category?
A)an algorithm
B)goal-state analysis
C)the representativeness heuristic
D)the availability heuristic

Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic involves making judgments based on how well an example represents a specific category. This can often lead to biases and errors in decision-making as individuals may ignore important statistical information or base decisions on stereotypes.

Question 20

Suppose 40% of all of the books in a library are fiction and 2% of all of the books are on the Roman Empire.Wanda is a big fan of historical fiction novels.Which of the following is she LEAST likely to leave the library with?
A)a fiction book
B)a book that involves the Roman Empire
C)a fictional book that takes place in the Roman Empire
D)the answer cannot be determined from the information given

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose 40% of all of the books...

Quiz 8: B: Thought and Language

Johannes has been a car mechanic for many years and is very good at diagnosing problems with cars.However,when an electric car comes into the garage,his approach to diagnosing the problem is unsuccessful.Johannes failure is likely the result of

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men.One student is described as ambitious,athletic,and assertive.Why are most people likely to think this description refers to a male student?

Which of the following is true about the use of the representativeness heuristic to make judgments?

Riley has figured out how to unlock his bedroom door with a paper clip.What has he most likely overcome in his new use of the paper clip?

Compared to a heuristic,an algorithm is more likely to

In a research study, participants are told that Louis has lived in Boston his whole life. They are then asked which is more likely: A) Louis is a baseball fan, or B) Louis is a baseball fan who roots for the Boston Red Sox. Which of the following is true?

Frank mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position due to __________________.

In the nine-dot problem discussed in your textbook,the rules do not specify that the lines cannot extend beyond the dots;however,most people try to find a solution that follows this non-existent rule anyway.This is an example of

Which of the following is true regarding cognitive obstacles?

The tendency to solve problems using procedures or strategies that worked in the past on similar problems is called

Which of the following is a heuristic approach to determining how many brownies to make for a party?

The _______________ occurs when an individual believes the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories is more likely than finding any member of one of the larger,general categories.

When people make the conjunction fallacy,it is most likely because

When someone does not see that a tool can be used for something other than its intended purpose,then ________________ can be said to have occurred.

Kendra has been a professional chef for 20 years.Instead of following recipes step by step,she uses her experience to guide her cooking,adding a pinch of salt here,or a little extra oil there.Kendra's approach to cooking is an example of

Which decision-making strategy involves making judgments of likelihood based on how well an example represents a specific category?

Suppose 40% of all of the books in a library are fiction and 2% of all of the books are on the Roman Empire.Wanda is a big fan of historical fiction novels.Which of the following is she LEAST likely to leave the library with?