Question 1

Some psychologists describe problem-solving as a process of searching. Which of the following is NOT part of this description?

Accepted Answer

The other three options (initial state, goal state, and operators) are key components of the problem-solving process as described by psychologists, but "path conflicts" are not typically included as part of this description.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an advantage gained by visualizing a problem via a mental image?

Accepted Answer

All of the other choices are advantages gained by visualizing a problem via a mental image. Choice C, however, is not an advantage, but rather a potential outcome or possibility that could result from visualizing the problem. While it is true that one might make new discoveries about the imaged form, this is not always the case and is not necessarily an inherent advantage of visualization.

Question 3

In general, a training procedure will promote subsequent analogy use if the procedure:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

One plan for solving a problem would be to consider every possible option, searching for the best solution. This broad plan is:

Accepted Answer

Considering every possible option is often impractical due to the vast number of possibilities, making it infeasible for complex problems.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT true regarding mental images or pictures in problem-solving?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT true...

Question 6

In order to teach students to be better problem-solvers, we should do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Teaching students to memorize related problems instead of understanding them goes against the goal of teaching them to be better problem-solvers. The other options all support this goal by teaching students general problem-solving strategies, providing relevant experience, and encouraging attention to the structure of the problem.

Question 7

In many studies, participants fail to use analogies as an aid to problem-solving. Of the following, which is the MOST plausible explanation of this fact?

Accepted Answer

This explanation is supported by research on analogical reasoning which suggests that people tend to retrieve information from memory based on surface-level features rather than deeper, structural features. As a result, they may overlook potential analogies that could aid in problem-solving. Participants may not realize the value of analogies or be instructed to use them explicitly, but these are not the primary reasons why they may fail to use them.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a heuristic used in problem-solving?

Accepted Answer

Framing is not a heuristic used in problem-solving. Instead, framing refers to the way a problem is presented or "framed," which can influence how people perceive and respond to it. Hill-climbing, means-end analysis, and working backward from the goal state are all heuristics commonly used in problem-solving.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a procedure that makes analogy use more likely?

Accepted Answer

Financial bonuses are not a procedure that makes analogy use more likely. The other procedures listed (A, C, and D) all encourage participants to engage more deeply with the training problems and their solutions, which can increase the likelihood that they will make analogies to solve the test problem.

Question 10

A participant was given practice in solving the "jealous husbands" problem and was then tested with the "hobbits and orcs" problem. The participant, however, was unable to figure out how to map the problems onto one another. That the "hobbits and orcs" solution lies in mapping is evident in the fact that:

Accepted Answer

The fact that the participant was unable to map the problems onto one another suggests that they did not recognize the similarity between the two problems and therefore did not realize that the same rule applied to both problems. Option A implies that the participant recognized the need to look for additional information, but did not necessarily lead to the mapping of the problems. Option B suggests that the participant was aware of the possibility of analogy but chose not to use it, which is not supported by the information given. Option C implies that the participant attempted to find an analogous case but was unsuccessful, which is not supported by the information given.

Question 11

Dell is trying to solve the "hobbits and orcs" problem, so she must determine how to move the creatures across a river. Dell is most likely to be helped if she has had earlier experience with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dell is trying to solve the "hobbits...

Question 12

Analogies are:

Accepted Answer

Analogies can be an effective tool for promoting understanding and problem-solving, as they allow individuals to draw connections between seemingly disparate concepts and apply knowledge from one area to another. However, it is important to use analogies carefully and to consider the underlying structure of the problem at hand.

Question 13

A problem's "initial state" refers to the:

Accepted Answer

The initial state of a problem refers to the knowledge and resources one possesses at the outset of the problem. It is the starting point for any problem-solving process. Option A is incorrect because it refers to the participant's circumstances before understanding the problem, which is not relevant to the problem's initial state. Option B is incorrect because it refers to the actual statement of the problem, which is usually given after the initial state is understood. Option D is incorrect because the first goal one must move toward in solving the problem is usually determined after understanding the initial state.

Question 14

Problem-solving protocols are:

Accepted Answer

Moment-by-moment records of what participants say when asked to think aloud while working on a problem are known as problem-solving protocols. B is incorrect as computer models programmed to simulate human problem-solving are not protocols. C is incorrect as procedures designed by problem-solving experts are not necessarily protocols, and D is incorrect as reports by the participant after the problem has been solved are not protocols but rather retrospective reflections.

Question 15

A problem-solving heuristic is:

Accepted Answer

A problem-solving heuristic is a general strategy or rule of thumb that guides a search through a problem space. It does not guarantee a solution but helps to narrow down the possibilities and make the search more efficient. While it may not be as effective as more specialized strategies like hill-climbing or means-end analysis, it can be useful in tackling unfamiliar problems.

Question 16

Herbert solved the "tumor" problem by using an analogy with the "general and fortress" problem. In doing this, he realized that "tumor" corresponds to "fortress," "radiation" corresponds to "attacking army," and so on. The process of determining these correspondences is called:

Accepted Answer

Mapping is the process of determining correspondences between different domains or problems, as Herbert did by linking elements of the "tumor" problem with those of the "general and fortress" problem.

Question 17

All of the states one can reach in solving a problem together make up the:

Accepted Answer

The problem space refers to all the possible states that can be reached in solving a problem. A and B refer to specific components within the problem space, while C refers to the initial statement or description of the problem.

Question 18

In order to solve a problem, people make use of operators. These are:

Accepted Answer

Operators are actions or tools that a person can use to change their current state and move towards a solution to the problem. They are not units of knowledge, nor are they equivalent to a person's IQ. While they can be subject to constraints or limitations, their main purpose is to facilitate problem-solving by offering ways to alter the current state.

Question 19

Participants' use of "hill-climbing" is evident in that:

Accepted Answer

Hill-climbing refers to the tendency of problem-solvers to choose the path that appears to lead most directly to the goal state, even if this path requires temporary movement away from the goal state. Option A is incorrect because dividing a problem into smaller subproblems is a common problem-solving strategy, but it does not necessarily reflect hill-climbing behavior. Option C is incorrect because thinking out loud can be disruptive to problem-solving regardless of whether hill-climbing is being used. Option D is incorrect because confusion with path constraints is not specific to hill-climbing behavior.

Question 20

Studies of analogy use indicate that participants:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies of analogy use indicate that participants:
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Quiz 14: Solving Problems