Peg is trying to change a light bulb in a ceiling light, but she cannot reach the light even when she stands on a chair. She looks around the room, puzzled, and then suddenly realizes that she can reach the light by piling two telephone books on the chair and standing on them. Peg's approach to the problem can probably best be understood from which one of the following perspectives of problem solving?
A) Stages of problem solving
B) Trial-and-error
C) The Gestalt notion of insight
D) Response hierarchy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Gestalt notion of insight refers to sudden realization of a solution to a problem, without going through trial-and-error or the stages of problem solving. This is exactly what happened in Peg's case - she was puzzled and then suddenly had an insight that she could use the telephone books to reach the light.

Peg Is Trying to Change a Light Bulb in a Ceiling