Question 1

People have reported visual and auditory mental images, but mental images do not occur in other sensory modalities.

Accepted Answer

Mental images can occur in other sensory modalities, such as olfactory (smell) and tactile (touch).

Question 2

A heuristic is a rule of thumb that guides problem solving but does not guarantee an optimal solution.

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a practical approach that allows quick decisions but the results may not be the most accurate or optimal.

Question 3

Research on visual images shows that people are able to manipulate the images in their imaginations.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people are able to manipulate visual images in their minds, such as rotating or zooming in on an image, and that this ability is linked to brain activity in areas involved in visual perception and spatial reasoning.

Question 4

Many people report mental images in the sensory modalities of smell, touch, taste, and pain.

Accepted Answer

It is possible for people to experience mental images in various sensory modalities beyond just sight and sound. Some may see mental images of touch sensations or even taste and smell. Additionally, some people with certain conditions or disorders may experience mental images of pain or discomfort.

Question 5

Vicky runs a dog-fighting ring out of her house. She justifies the harm that happens to the dogs by telling herself that dog fighting isn't cruel because dogs cannot think or feel emotions. This is an example of:
A) anthropodenial.
B) anthropomorphism.
C) stereotype threat.
D) tacit knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Vicky's belief that dogs cannot think or feel emotions is an example of anthropodenial, which is the rejection of human-like qualities in animals. This belief is often used to justify the mistreatment of animals in various industries, including dog-fighting rings.

Question 6

Propositions represent the relationships of concepts to one another.

Accepted Answer

This is a true statement. Propositions are statements that express the relationships between concepts or ideas, indicating how they are related or connected to one another.

Question 7

Research on human cognition reveals that not all mental processing is conscious.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that a significant amount of mental processing and decision-making occurs unconsciously or subconsciously, without the person being aware of it.

Question 8

When people have strong feelings on an issue, they usually try to consider all of the information relevant to that issue.

Accepted Answer

When people have strong feelings on an issue, they may be more likely to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and biases, and overlook information that contradicts them. This is known as confirmation bias.

Question 9

The tendency to think, mistakenly, that human beings have nothing in common with other animals is called:
A) anthropodenial.
B) anthropomorphism.
C) stereotype threat.
D) tacit knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Anthropodenial is the tendency to deny or underestimate the similarities between humans and other animals, often due to a belief in human exceptionalism or superiority.

Question 10

An algorithm is a rule of thumb that suggests a course of action or guides problem solving but does not guarantee an optimal solution.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem, not just a rule of thumb, and it is designed to come to a solution, often an optimal one for the problem it is meant to solve.

Question 11

Confirmation bias explains why so many people hold on to a belief when evidence exists that demonstrates the belief is wrong.

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to interpret or seek out information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses, while ignoring or rejecting information that contradicts them. This can lead to individuals holding on to a belief even when evidence exists that demonstrates the belief is wrong.

Question 12

Nonconscious processes occur outside of conscious awareness but are accessible to consciousness when necessary.

Accepted Answer

Nonconscious processes occur outside of conscious awareness and are not typically accessible to consciousness, unlike subconscious processes which can be accessed when needed.

Question 13

A cake recipe is one example of an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

A cake recipe is a step-by-step set of instructions to follow, which is exactly what an algorithm is.

Question 14

A proposition is a unit of meaning that is made up of concepts and expresses a single idea.

Accepted Answer

A proposition is typically defined as a statement that expresses a single idea or unit of meaning. It is made up of concepts and can be either true or false.

Question 15

In formal reasoning problems, the information needed for reaching a solution is specified clearly and there is a single right answer.

Accepted Answer

Formal reasoning problems are designed to have a clear and well-defined set of information and rules, and the goal is to reach a single correct solution based on deductive reasoning using that information.

Question 16

People tend to judge the probability of an event by how easy it is to think of examples of the event.

Accepted Answer

This is a cognitive bias known as the availability heuristic. When we rely on the availability heuristic, we estimate the likelihood of an outcome based on how easily it comes to mind. This can sometimes lead to inaccurate assessments of probability.

Question 17

A prototype is a mental category that groups objects or activities that have common properties.

Accepted Answer

A prototype is a typical example or representative of a category, not a mental category itself. The mental category that groups objects or activities with common properties is called a concept.

Question 18

Multitasking increases the time required to complete tasks.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that when people try to do two or more tasks at the same time, their productivity actually decreases and they take longer to complete the tasks. This is because the brain has to switch back and forth between the tasks, resulting in reduced efficiency and increased errors.

Question 19

The tendency to find patterns in events is a common mental set.

Accepted Answer

It is true that humans have a tendency to find patterns in events, even when there may not actually be any correlation or causation. This mental set can lead to cognitive biases and errors in judgment.

Question 20

Reflective judgment is basically another term for what has been called critical thinking.

Accepted Answer

Reflective judgment refers to the ability to evaluate evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and make informed decisions based on reasoned arguments. This is very similar to the process of critical thinking, which involves analyzing information, considering different viewpoints, and using logic and reasoning to make sound judgments. Therefore, reflective judgment can be considered another term for critical thinking.

Quiz 9: Thinking and Intelligence