Question 1

When people try to solve problems, which feature of the problem should they emphasize the most?

Accepted Answer

Structural features are the underlying principles that govern the solution to a problem. Emphasizing these features helps in understanding the problem at a deeper level and in applying the knowledge to solve similar problems in different contexts.

Question 2

In order to understand a problem, you need to understand the underlying meaning. This basic core of a problem is called its

Accepted Answer

The structural features of a problem refer to its underlying principles and the core aspects that define it, beyond the superficial details (surface features). Understanding these helps in grasping the fundamental nature of the problem.

Question 3

A major problem with using the analogy approach to problem solving is that

Accepted Answer

People often focus on surface features rather than structural features, which are crucial for applying analogies effectively in problem solving.

Question 4

If you solve a problem by using the solution strategy from an earlier problem, which of the following problem-solving strategies are you using?

Accepted Answer

Using analogy as a problem-solving strategy involves applying the solution strategy from an earlier, similar problem to the current problem. This approach leverages the similarities between the two problems to find a solution.

Question 5

Your friend Jerome has lost his contact lens in his room. He begins searching in one corner and methodically moves from right to left and then back from left to right, examining every square inch. What strategy is he using?

Accepted Answer

Jerome is using an exhaustive search strategy, which involves checking every possible location systematically until the item is found, without using any shortcuts or assumptions.

Question 6

Suppose that several high school algebra teachers are trying to encourage their students to use analogies more appropriately when they try to solve word problems. The teachers should instruct students

Accepted Answer

Instructing students to sort problems into categories based on structural similarities encourages them to focus on the underlying principles and relationships that define different types of problems, rather than on superficial details. This approach helps students understand the core concepts and apply them to solve new problems, making it an effective strategy for using analogies in problem-solving.

Question 7

Which of the following research topics would be most interesting to a psychologist who favors the situated-cognitive approach?

Accepted Answer

The situated-cognitive approach emphasizes the importance of context and real-world environments in cognitive processes. Choice D, which investigates strategies used by college students to solve a real-world problem (getting a ride home), aligns with this approach by focusing on how cognition operates in everyday situations.

Question 8

In problem solving, a method that always produces a problem solution (though not necessarily very efficiently) is known as

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem, which guarantees a correct solution if one exists, regardless of efficiency.

Question 9

Which of the following circumstances is most likely to encourage the successful use of analogies in problem solving?

Accepted Answer

Studying several structurally similar problems before encountering the target problem helps individuals recognize underlying patterns and principles, facilitating the application of analogies in problem solving.

Question 10

Jane is given an anagram to solve: DFROJ In attempting to solve the anagram, Jane takes out a sheet of paper and methodically begins to write down every possible combination of these five letters: DFRJO, DFJOR, DFJRO, DFORJ, and so forth Jane's strategy would be described as

Accepted Answer

Jane's strategy of writing down every possible combination of the letters to solve the anagram is an example of an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution to a problem if followed correctly.

Question 11

Which of the following research questions would have the highest ecological validity?

Accepted Answer

Ecological validity refers to the extent to which the findings of research studies can be generalized to real-life settings. Among the options, B) How do people determine how many rolls of wallpaper to use when planning to wallpaper a bedroom? involves a real-life task that people might actually perform, making it the choice with the highest ecological validity.

Question 12

Which of the following students provides the best summary of the situated-cognition approach?

Accepted Answer

C) Vladimir's statement best summarizes the situated-cognition approach, which emphasizes understanding how people solve problems in their natural, everyday contexts rather than in artificial laboratory settings.

Question 13

People are especially likely to use analogies effectively in problem solving

Accepted Answer

Analogies are most effectively used in problem solving when individuals are trained to recognize structural similarities between different problems, as this allows them to apply solutions from one context to another appropriately.

Question 14

Which of the following research topics on problem solving would have the lowest ecological validity?

Accepted Answer

Ecological validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a research study can be generalized to real-life settings. Among the options, D (How students in a geometry class use information from previous problems to solve the current problem) has the lowest ecological validity because it is situated in a very specific, controlled environment (a geometry class) and involves abstract problem-solving that may not directly translate to everyday life situations, unlike the other scenarios which are directly related to common real-life tasks.

Question 15

Suppose that you have an assignment to write a review of the literature on a topic in cognitive psychology. If you used the means-ends heuristic, you would begin by

Accepted Answer

The means-ends heuristic involves identifying the end goal and then determining the means or steps necessary to reach that goal, which includes breaking the problem into manageable parts and solving each part to progress towards the solution.

Question 16

Research on problem isomorphs has demonstrated that

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves identifying the underlying structure of problems, which often requires looking beyond their superficial features to recognize their similarities or isomorphs. This process is crucial for applying known solutions to new but structurally similar problems.

Question 17

In the means-ends heuristic,

Accepted Answer

The means-ends heuristic involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable subproblems to gradually reduce the gap between the current state and the goal state.

Question 18

Dwaine has just completed a high school course in algebra. However, when he needs to solve a problem that uses basic algebra, he finds that he does not know how to apply his knowledge. Cognitive psychologists would argue that Dwaine

Accepted Answer

Dwaine's difficulty in applying his algebra knowledge to solve problems is an example of the situated cognition issue, which suggests that knowledge is often tied to the context in which it was learned, making it difficult to apply in new contexts.

Question 19

Why is the embodied cognition approach important when people are trying to solve certain kinds of problems?

Accepted Answer

Embodied cognition suggests that physical actions, such as gestures, can help in processing and expressing abstract thoughts, thereby aiding problem-solving.

Question 20

In problem solving, heuristics

Accepted Answer

The answer of In problem solving, heuristics
...

Quiz 11: Problem Solving and Creativity