Question 1

To understand the sequence of commands necessary to edit,save,and retrieve a computer file,people may use a ____ that consists of propositions such as "Pressing the F10 key stores the file in a place on the disk," "Each file must have its own name," and so on.

Accepted Answer

A mental model is a mental representation of how things work, and it includes sequences of actions or commands necessary to perform a task, such as editing, saving, and retrieving a file. A schema is a similar term, but it is more commonly used for a general understanding of a concept rather than a specific task. A cognitive map is a spatial representation of the environment, and it is not relevant in this context. Representation is a general term that can apply to any kind of mental or external representation of information, so it is less specific than mental model in this case. Therefore, the best choice is B (mental model).

Question 2

Shari is taking a computer-based test designed to measure her knowledge of a word processor.To understand the sequence of commands that allows her to create a macro (e.g.,clicking on "Tools",naming the macro),Shari must use a ____.

Accepted Answer

A mental model is a person's understanding and representation of how a system or process works. In this case, Shari needs to use her mental model of the word processor's interface and commands to understand the sequence of actions required to create a macro. The other options (narrative, proposition, and cognitive map) are less relevant to the task at hand.

Question 3

Cinderella is excited about meeting a potential husband at the ball.Her ideal suitor would have some of the following attributes: tall,dark,handsome,rich,and good taste in glass slippers.At the ball,she hooks up with Prince Charming,who has all of these features.Cinderella's set of characteristic features for her potential husband is called a ____ concept,and Prince Charming is a ____.

Accepted Answer

Cinderella's set of characteristic features for her potential husband is based on natural concepts and Prince Charming is a prototype of that concept, as he possesses all the attributes she desires. A schema is a more general cognitive framework or concept, while formal concept refers to a more specific and defined concept.

Question 4

Lashonna has gone to Benny's for breakfast many times.She knows that when you walk in,you should wait to be seated,and that once you are seated,the server will bring you menus and later come back to take your order.Lashonna has a(n)____ that helps her know what she should do when she goes to eat at Benny's.

Accepted Answer

Lashonna's knowledge of the specific sequence of events when going to eat at Benny's is indicative of a script, which is a type of schema that guides behavior in particular situations. Mental models refer to more general understandings of how things work, and images are mental representations of visual stimuli.

Question 5

During an interview,SherlockHolmes confesses that his detective skills were based largely on principles of deduction,algorithms,and logic.In other words,Holmes relies primarily on ____ to solve his cases.

Accepted Answer

The principles of deduction, algorithms, and logic are all associated with formal reasoning. Artificial intelligence involves the use of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, which is not mentioned as relevant to Holmes' detective skills. While mental models and heuristics can play a role in problem-solving, Holmes specifically mentions deduction and logic, which are associated with formal reasoning.

Question 6

Maria is trying to compute the velocity of a falling rock,using the appropriate formula.Maria is using ____ to solve this problem.

Accepted Answer

Formal reasoning involves using mathematical or logical formulas and rules to solve a problem. Since Maria is using a specific formula to calculate the velocity of the falling rock, she is using formal reasoning.

Question 7

Which of the following is a proposition?

Accepted Answer

"Karla is cute" is a statement that can be either true or false, making it a proposition.

Answer: None 
 None of the other choices are propositions. "Dogs and cats" and "ice cream" are not full statements and "with cheese" is a prepositional phrase that does not express a complete thought.

Question 8

Kriss enters a haunted house for the first time,and it is so dark that she can't see a thing.Kriss will probably have trouble navigating because she lacks a ____ of the haunted house.

Accepted Answer

A cognitive map is a mental representation of one's environment. Without it, Kriss will struggle to navigate the haunted house. While concepts, schemas, and mental models can also aid in navigation, the description of the situation suggests that a cognitive map is most relevant.

Question 9

Tristan cannot think of a set of defining features for the concept of "game".Some games have playing pieces (e.g.,checkers or chess),but other games do not (e.g.,dodgeball or freeze-tag).Some games have a winner (e.g.,baseball or football),while others do not (e.g.,role-playing games).Thus,we can think of a game is a ____ concept.

Accepted Answer

A natural concept is one that is understood through everyday experiences and lacks a fixed set of defining features, much like the concept of a "game" which varies widely in its characteristics.

Question 10

Darnetta took apart her alarm clock in an attempt to repair it,and now she has to put it back together.She forgot how the pieces were connected,so she tries fitting each piece with every other piece until she finds one that fits.Darnetta's approach to problem solving demonstrates ____.

Accepted Answer

Darnetta's methodical approach of trying every possible combination until she finds the correct one is an example of an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end.

Question 11

In his mind,Perry is able to picture every detail of his favorite painting.This type of analogous representation is known as a(n)____.

Accepted Answer

An image is a mental representation of a visual stimulus, which is exactly what Perry is experiencing as he pictures every detail of his favorite painting in his mind. The other options (mental set, concept, and script) refer to different types of cognitive processes, but do not specifically apply to Perry's ability to visualize the painting.

Question 12

Murat asks his older brother for advice about his first date.His brother tells him that he should first call the woman to ask her out.Then,on the day of their date,he should pick her up and give her a rose.Then he should drive her to a nice restaurant and pay for dinner.Finally,when he takes her home,he should wait until she gets inside before leaving.Murat's brother has provided a ____ of a first date.

Accepted Answer

The older brother has provided a set of specific actions and steps for Murat to follow on his first date. This set of instructions resembles a script, which is a common way to provide guidance and structure for a particular action or event.

Question 13

The Whitney family lose the first round on a popular game show because none of their answers ("clavichord," "tuba," "ukulele")to the question "Name a popular musical instrument" has been mentioned by the population surveyed.Based on cognitive principles,how would you help them improve for the next round?

Accepted Answer

Prototypes are typical examples of a category. By using prototypes, the Whitney family can think of more common and widely recognized musical instruments, increasing their chances of matching the surveyed population's responses.

Question 14

While taking the SAT exam,Ceth must determine the age order of four siblings based on the clues given in the question.Ceth decides to ask himself a series of if-then statements to determine in what order the siblings were born.Ceth is using ____ to solve this problem.

Accepted Answer

Ceth is using if-then statements which is a logical reasoning process to derive a conclusion. Therefore, the best choice is logic.

Question 15

Ana reads in the track-and-field rulebook that an official track on which she can set a world record must have specific qualities.It must be 400 meters long,in an oval shape,and have a surface that is between 0.5 in.and 1.0 in.thick.The track described in the rulebook is an example of a ____ concept.

Accepted Answer

The track described in the rulebook is an example of a formal concept because it has well-defined criteria and specific qualities that must be met in order to qualify as an official track for setting world records. The other options, such as fuzzy, natural, and prototype, do not accurately describe the nature of this concept.

Question 16

In high school,Mireille learns that "Mr.Baker is mean." She also knows that "Mr.Baker gives too much homework" and "Mr.Baker makes fun of students." These basic parts of knowledge are all related to Mireille's concept of her teacher and are known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Propositions are basic units of knowledge that are related to an individual's concept of a particular object or event. In this case, Mireille's knowledge about Mr. Baker can be broken down into three propositions: (1) he is mean, (2) he gives too much homework, and (3) he makes fun of students. Scripts refer to a knowledge structure that involves sequences of events or actions, heuristics are mental shortcuts used to make judgments, and syllogisms involve deductive reasoning using two premises and a conclusion. None of these terms accurately describe Mireille's knowledge about her teacher.

Question 17

Mario is out past his curfew.When he gets home,the house is dark and his parents are asleep.To avoid waking them,he walks to his room in the dark.He doesn't bump into any objects because he has a ____ of the house.

Accepted Answer

A cognitive map refers to an individual's mental representation of their environment, including spatial relationships between objects or locations. Mario's ability to navigate his way to his room in the dark without stumbling into any objects implies that he has a cognitive map of the layout of the house.

Question 18

Homer and Marge go to the Hummer dealership to buy a new H2.When they walk in,none of the salespersons approach them because Homer and Marge's appearance doesn't match that of people they thinkcan afford to buy an H2.The salespeople are relying on their ____ of "Hummer buyer."

Accepted Answer

A schema is a mental framework or blueprint that contains our expectations, beliefs, and knowledge about a particular concept or category. In this case, the salespeople have a specific schema for the "Hummer buyer" that includes certain expectations about their appearance and financial status. This schema is causing the salespeople to overlook potential customers like Homer and Marge who do not fit their preconceived idea of a Hummer buyer. Cognitive maps, formal concepts, and scripts may also play a role in this situation, but schema is the most appropriate term given the context.

Question 19

Your friend says,"Tell me everything you know about Australia." You respond,"Beaches.Kangaroos.Shrimp on the barbie.Crocodile Dundee.Ayers Rock.Aborigines.Sydney Opera House.Weird football." This knowledge is part of your ____ for Australia.

Accepted Answer

The knowledge listed about Australia forms a schema, which is a cognitive framework or mental representation that organizes knowledge about a specific topic or concept.

Question 20

Vanessa walked into a party and said,"I just purchased a vehicle." Most people in the room formed a mental image of a midsize car.Apparently,a midsize car can be considered a ____ for the ____ concept called vehicle.

Accepted Answer

A prototype is a typical example or representation of a concept, in this case, the "natural" concept of a vehicle. When Vanessa mentioned she purchased a vehicle, people naturally thought of a midsize car because it is a common or prototypical example of the broader category of vehicles.

Quiz 7: Thought and Language