Question 1

What type of thinking allows us to decide quickly because,in using it,we do not consider all the evidence before making a decision?
A) heuristics
B) algorithms
C) insight
D) forecasting

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow us to make quick decisions based on limited information. They can lead to errors or biases in decision-making, but they are often helpful in situations where a fast decision is necessary. Algorithms, on the other hand, are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem and involve considering all the evidence. Insight refers to sudden realization or understanding, and forecasting involves making predictions based on data analysis.

Question 2

Your best strategy would be to use a heuristic if _____ is most important; your best strategy would be to use an algorithm if _____ is most important.
A) being thorough; ease
B) ease; being thorough
C) time; being right
D) being right; time

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your best strategy would be to use...

Question 3

The director of the school cafeteria discovers that students like chocolate chip cookies much better than molasses cookies.To sell the molasses cookies,she prices them at 25 cents each and continues to charge 1 dollar for the chocolate chip cookies.When students keep buying far more chocolate chip cookies,they are violating _____ theory,which is a _____ model of human decision making.
A) prospect; normative
B) expected utility; normative
C) prospect; descriptive
D) expected utility; descriptive

Accepted Answer

Expected utility theory is a normative model that assumes individuals make rational decisions to maximize their utility, but the students' preference for chocolate chip cookies despite the price difference suggests they are not behaving according to this model.

Question 4

Samantha has always bought Japanese cars because she believes they are more reliable than cars made in the United States.Samantha has formulated a(n)_____ for buying cars that may help her save time and money on her next car purchase.
A) deductive strategy
B) inductive strategy
C) algorithm
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

Samantha's belief that Japanese cars are more reliable is a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that helps individuals make quick decisions. By using this heuristic, Samantha may be able to quickly eliminate American-made cars from consideration and narrow down her choices, potentially saving time and money in the car-buying process.

Question 5

Meagan's economics professor argues that people are optimal decision makers.Her psychology professor argues that people are often irrational decision makers.Her economics professor believes in a _____ model of human decision making; her psychology professor believes in a _____ model.
A) normative; descriptive
B) normative; normative
C) descriptive; descriptive
D) descriptive; normative

Accepted Answer

The economics professor's belief in people as optimal decision makers suggests a normative model of human decision making, where decisions are made based on rational calculations of costs and benefits. The psychology professor's belief in people as often irrational decision makers suggests a descriptive model of human decision making, where decisions may be influenced by biases, emotions, and other psychological factors that can interfere with perfect rationality. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 6

When Xavier is looking for a book to buy,he takes recommendations from the staff at the local bookstore.Even though he sometimes winds up with a book that he does not like,he keeps using the staff recommendations because his strategy is a(n)_____ that _____.
A) algorithm; usually works
B) heuristic; usually works
C) algorithm; is easy
D) heuristic; is easy

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a strategy that is not guaranteed to find the best solution but is often used because it is easy to apply and usually works well. In this case, Xavier's strategy of using the staff recommendations is a heuristic because it is not guaranteed to find the best book for him, but it usually works well enough that he keeps using it.

Question 7

Julie needs to buy a new dishwasher.She consults the Consumer Reports ratings online and finds out what the best buy would be.Then she finds out that her neighbor has that dishwasher and asks him what he thinks.The neighbor says that the dishwasher is terrible.If Julie decides,based on one person's opinion,not to buy the dishwasher despite the good ratings,Julie is:
A) using scientific reasoning
B) being influenced by an anecdotal report
C) using deductive reasoning
D) using syllogistic reasoning

Accepted Answer

Julie is being influenced by an anecdotal report, which is a personal story or opinion that is not based on scientific evidence or research. She should consider the ratings from Consumer Reports as well as other sources before making a decision.

Question 8

Because Jason disliked his three classes in biology and chemistry,he concludes that he does not like science.He later decides not to take astronomy because he does not like science.Jason's decision that he does not like science was reached by _____ reasoning; his decision not to take astronomy was reached by _____ reasoning.
A) inductive; deductive
B) deductive; inductive
C) deductive; deductive
D) inductive; inductive

Accepted Answer

Jason's decision that he does not like science was reached by inductive reasoning since he made a generalization about his dislike for three specific classes. His decision not to take astronomy was reached by deductive reasoning since he applied the generalization he made earlier to a specific instance (astronomy).

Question 9

_____ models describe how people are irrational decision makers,whereas _____ models state that people are rational decision makers.
A) Normative; descriptive
B) Descriptive; normative
C) Heuristic; algorithm
D) Algorithm; heuristic

Accepted Answer

Descriptive models explain how people actually make decisions, often irrationally, while normative models describe how people should make decisions rationally.

Question 10

Fatima and Andrew are going to see the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie.Like the first two movies in the series,this one stars Johnny Depp.Fatima wants to see the movie because she has enjoyed other movies starring Johnny Depp.Andrew wants to go because he enjoyed the first two Pirates movies.Fatima is using _____ reasoning; Andrew is using _____ reasoning.
A) inductive; deductive
B) deductive; inductive
C) deductive; deductive
D) inductive; inductive

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fatima and Andrew are going to see...

Question 11

Using the scientific method to discover psychological principles is an example of:
A) inductive reasoning
B) deductive reasoning
C) heuristics
D) framing

Accepted Answer

Using the scientific method involves making observations and collecting data to develop general principles, which is an example of inductive reasoning.

Question 12

Two longtime friends,Joyce and Laurie,want to get back in touch with their childhood friend Rhonda,but they do not know whether she still lives in the area.Joyce randomly selects phone numbers from the local phonebook and asks people if they know Rhonda.Laurie calls numbers listed in the local phonebook for people who have the same last name as Rhonda.Joyce has approached the problem with a trial-and-error approach,whereas Laurie has approached the problem with a(n)_____.
A) trial-and-error approach
B) algorithm
C) utility theory
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

Laurie has applied a heuristic approach by narrowing down her search to people with the same last name as Rhonda. This allows her to reduce the total number of people she needs to contact, which increases her chances of finding Rhonda. Joyce, on the other hand, is using a trial-and-error approach, which involves randomly dialing phone numbers without any set strategy or criteria. This method is less effective as it requires more time and effort without necessarily increasing the chances of finding Rhonda.

Question 13

Norma is trying to decide which of four dresses to buy.For each dress,she carefully considers the cost,appearance,and quality.She then ranks the dresses in order of desirability and buys the most desirable one.Norma's decision is in accord with _____ theory,which is a _____ model of human decision making.
A) prospect; normative
B) expected utility; normative
C) prospect; descriptive
D) expected utility; descriptive

Accepted Answer

Norma is considering the cost, appearance, and quality of each dress, which aligns with the expected utility theory. This theory suggests that individuals make decisions based on the expected utility, or perceived value, of each option. Additionally, the expected utility theory is a normative model, as it prescribes an ideal course of action for decision-making. Therefore, choice B (expected utility; normative) is the best answer.

Question 14

Sasha has taken many enjoyable hikes along rivers.When Zacharia asks her to hike along the Mississippi River during the summer,she agrees because she concludes that she will enjoy the hike.Sasha reached her decision using:
A) heuristic decision making
B) problem solving
C) deductive reasoning
D) inductive reasoning

Accepted Answer

Sasha used inductive reasoning by using her past experiences of enjoying hikes along rivers to conclude that she will also enjoy hiking along the Mississippi River during the summer.

Question 15

Angelica believes that hair salons have better shampoo than grocery stores,so she buys shampoo from salons only.She reads in Consumer Reports that there is no difference between shampoos available in the two places.Given what you know about heuristics,you could predict that Angelica has developed a(n)_____ about shampoo and _____ change her buying behavior.
A) algorithm; will not
B) algorithm; will
C) heuristic; will
D) heuristic; will not

Accepted Answer

Angelica has developed a heuristic, which is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb, leading her to believe salon shampoos are superior. Despite evidence to the contrary, heuristics often result in people sticking to their beliefs, so she likely will not change her buying behavior.

Question 16

Ivy and Peng have decided to try the new Thai restaurant.Ivy is glad to go there because she likes all Thai food.Peng is happy to go there because he has eaten in three other Thai restaurants and enjoyed the food.Ivy is using _____ reasoning; Peng is using _____ reasoning.
A) inductive; deductive
B) deductive; inductive
C) deductive; deductive
D) inductive; inductive

Accepted Answer

Ivy is using deductive reasoning because she likes all Thai food, so she assumes she will like the food at this restaurant. Peng is using inductive reasoning because he generalizes from his past experiences at three Thai restaurants to assume he will enjoy this one as well.

Question 17

Algorithms have the advantage of _____ and the disadvantage of _____.
A) always working; being difficult
B) usually working; being difficult
C) always working; requiring more thinking
D) usually working; requiring more thinking

Accepted Answer

The answer of Algorithms have the advantage of _____ and...

Question 18

According to expected utility theory,we select among our alternatives based on the one that has the highest value,or:
A) heuristic
B) utility
C) money
D) happiness

Accepted Answer

Expected utility theory states that we choose the alternative that gives us the highest utility value. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 19

Sally is knitting a sweater by following the instructions in the knitting book exactly.Sally is following a(n)_____ for the sweater,which means that her sweater _____ turn out right.
A) algorithm; will not
B) algorithm; will
C) heuristic; will
D) heuristic; will not

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a precise set of instructions to solve a problem, and if Sally is following the knitting book exactly, she is using an algorithm. Since the instructions are precise, Sally can expect that her sweater will turn out right if she follows them correctly. Therefore, the correct option is B.

Question 20

According to prospect theory,would a person rather gamble $2 with the possibility of winning $4,or gamble 50 cents with the possibility of winning $1? Why?
A) $2, because the person could possibly win a greater amount of money
B) $2, because the person will ignore the possibility of losing more money
C) 50 cents, because the person can lose only a small amount of money
D) 50 cents, because the person will not mind being able to win only a little money

Accepted Answer

Prospect theory suggests that individuals are risk-averse when it comes to gains, but risk-seeking when it comes to losses. In this case, the potential gains are $4 for gambling $2 and $1 for gambling 50 cents. However, the potential loss is also higher in the case of gambling $2. Therefore, individuals are more likely to choose the option with a lower potential loss, which is gambling 50 cents with the possibility of winning $1. This choice offers the possibility of a small gain with a limited risk, which aligns with the risk-averse tendencies of prospect theory.

Quiz 8: Thinking and Intelligence

What type of thinking allows us to decide quickly because,in using it,we do not consider all the evidence before making a decision?

Your best strategy would be to use a heuristic if _ is most important; your best strategy would be to use an algorithm if _ is most important.

Samantha has always bought Japanese cars because she believes they are more reliable than cars made in the United States.Samantha has formulated a(n) _____ for buying cars that may help her save time and money on her next car purchase.

Meagan's economics professor argues that people are optimal decision makers.Her psychology professor argues that people are often irrational decision makers.Her economics professor believes in a _ model of human decision making; her psychology professor believes in a _ model.

When Xavier is looking for a book to buy,he takes recommendations from the staff at the local bookstore.Even though he sometimes winds up with a book that he does not like,he keeps using the staff recommendations because his strategy is a(n) _ that _.

_ models describe how people are irrational decision makers,whereas _ models state that people are rational decision makers.

Using the scientific method to discover psychological principles is an example of:

Norma is trying to decide which of four dresses to buy.For each dress,she carefully considers the cost,appearance,and quality.She then ranks the dresses in order of desirability and buys the most desirable one.Norma's decision is in accord with _ theory,which is a _ model of human decision making.

Sasha has taken many enjoyable hikes along rivers.When Zacharia asks her to hike along the Mississippi River during the summer,she agrees because she concludes that she will enjoy the hike.Sasha reached her decision using:

Ivy and Peng have decided to try the new Thai restaurant.Ivy is glad to go there because she likes all Thai food.Peng is happy to go there because he has eaten in three other Thai restaurants and enjoyed the food.Ivy is using _ reasoning; Peng is using _ reasoning.

Algorithms have the advantage of _ and the disadvantage of _.

According to expected utility theory,we select among our alternatives based on the one that has the highest value,or:

Sally is knitting a sweater by following the instructions in the knitting book exactly.Sally is following a(n) _ for the sweater,which means that her sweater _ turn out right.

According to prospect theory,would a person rather gamble $2 with the possibility of winning $4,or gamble 50 cents with the possibility of winning $1? Why?

Quiz 8: Thinking and Intelligence

What type of thinking allows us to decide quickly because,in using it,we do not consider all the evidence before making a decision?

Your best strategy would be to use a heuristic if _____ is most important; your best strategy would be to use an algorithm if _____ is most important.

Samantha has always bought Japanese cars because she believes they are more reliable than cars made in the United States.Samantha has formulated a(n) _____ for buying cars that may help her save time and money on her next car purchase.

Meagan's economics professor argues that people are optimal decision makers.Her psychology professor argues that people are often irrational decision makers.Her economics professor believes in a _____ model of human decision making; her psychology professor believes in a _____ model.

When Xavier is looking for a book to buy,he takes recommendations from the staff at the local bookstore.Even though he sometimes winds up with a book that he does not like,he keeps using the staff recommendations because his strategy is a(n) _____ that _____.

_____ models describe how people are irrational decision makers,whereas _____ models state that people are rational decision makers.