Question 1

Which one of the following problems is the best example of an ill-defined problem?
A) Staying dry in a rainstorm
B) Clearing a driveway after a snowstorm
C) Determining the average of a set of test scores
D) Helping a friend whose feelings have been hurt

Accepted Answer

The problem of helping a friend whose feelings have been hurt is ill-defined because it lacks specificity and can have various interpretations or solutions that may differ from person to person. It is unclear what caused the friend's hurt feelings, what kind of help is needed, and how to measure the success of the solution. This ambiguity makes it difficult to identify a clear problem statement or objective, making it an ill-defined problem.

Question 2

Mr. Rangel asks his students to write an essay describing how they would deal with the problem of the diminishing areas in which gorillas can successfully live in the wild. Three of the following factors should influence his students' ability to describe possible solutions to the problem. Which factor will not influence students' ability to do well-either for the better or for the worse-on the essay?
A) Students' anxiety about how well they do on the essay
B) How much students know about the countries in which gorillas reside
C) How carefully students internally monitor their ways of thinking about the problem
D) The number of specific algorithms students have learned for solving problems in other disciplines
E)g., physics, mathematics)

Accepted Answer

The number of specific algorithms students have learned for solving problems in other disciplines (e.g., physics, mathematics) will not influence their ability to describe possible solutions to the problem of diminishing areas for gorillas. The other factors listed—students' anxiety, their knowledge about the countries where gorillas reside, and their careful monitoring of their thought processes—could all affect how well they perform on the essay.

Question 3

From the perspective of information processing theory, incubation facilitates problem solving primarily by:
A) enhancing attentional focus on the problem to be solved
B) slightly expanding the capacity of working memory
C) enabling a more expansive search of long-term memory
D) increasing one's ability to engage in means-ends analysis

Accepted Answer

According to information processing theory, incubation enables a more extensive search of long-term memory. During the incubation period, the mind is able to unconsciously process and organize information, effectively bringing to mind relevant information that may have been overlooked during the initial problem-solving attempts. This expanded search of long-term memory allows for the identification of new solutions or the reevaluation of previously rejected ones.

Question 4

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates the role of retrieval in problem solving?
A) Arnie is trying to solve a physics problem on a classroom test. He is so anxious that he can't recall the problem-solving strategies he needs.
B) Bradley is looking for something to haul water but doesn't have a bucket. He fails to realize that his plastic wastebasket could easily carry water.
C) Charlie is doing a series of addition problems. He overlooks the subtraction sign on the last problem and so adds when he should subtract.
D) Doug is angry that another boy stole his bicycle. Rather than report the theft to the police, he steals a bicycle from someone else.

Accepted Answer

Arnie's inability to recall problem-solving strategies due to anxiety illustrates the role of retrieval in problem solving, as it shows how accessing stored information is crucial for applying known strategies to new problems.

Question 5

Will is trying to repair a leaky faucet. He first uses the method he used on the last three leaky faucets he repaired, but this approach doesn't work. Then he tries a technique he used several years ago, but this doesn't work either. Finally he remembers a method his mother taught him long ago, and this one stops the leak. Will's approach to the problem can probably best be understood from which 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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Will is trying to repair a leaky...

Question 6

Sarah needs to solve this word problem: A sweater in a store is originally priced at $40, but the price tag is marked "One-half off." The sweater is placed on a rack marked "Five dollars off the sale price." How much does the sweater cost now?
Sarah knows how to find one-half of a number; she also knows how to subtract one number from another. She uses both of these operations to arrive at the correct answer of $15. Which one of the following best describes Sarah's approach to problem solving?
A) Drawing an analogy
B) Availability
C) Working backward
D) Combining algorithms

Accepted Answer

Sarah used two different algorithms, one for finding one-half of a number (multiplication by 0.5) and one for subtracting one number from another, to arrive at the final answer. This approach involves combining algorithms.

Question 7

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates how mental set can interfere with problem solving?
A) A few days after an argument with her boyfriend, Abigail wants to make amends, but the boyfriend tells her that he is now dating someone else.
B) Bernadette needs to calculate the volume of a pyramid. She knows she learned the correct formula in class, but she can't seem to remember it now.
C) Corinne is working on a jigsaw puzzle. One of the pieces to the puzzle is missing.
D) Danielle's car won't start. It doesn't occur to her that she can take the bus to work because she has always driven her car to work before.

Accepted Answer

The example of Danielle illustrates mental set because she is limiting her problem-solving options to only fixing her car, despite the fact that there are alternate modes of transportation available. This is due to her previous experience of always driving her car to work, leading to a rigid mindset that prevents her from considering other solutions.

Question 8

Ms. Sharp wants her students to use what they learn in their psychology class to interact with other people more effectively. Given what we know about factors that promote transfer, which one of the following teaching strategies is most likely to accomplish this objective?
A) Present a prototype of how effective interaction occurs.
B) Have students describe behaviors that might promote effective interaction.
C) Have students apply effective interaction skills in role-playing situations.
D) Ask questions that encourage students to review the basic principles they have learned about human interaction.

Accepted Answer

The most effective way to promote transfer is to have students apply what they have learned in a novel context, which is exactly what role-playing situations provide. By allowing students to practice effective interaction skills in a safe and controlled environment, they will be more likely to use these skills in real-world situations. Choices A and B may help students understand what effective interaction looks like, but they do not provide an opportunity for students to apply these skills. Choice D encourages review, but does not offer an opportunity for application or transfer.

Question 9

Missy is given this problem: Mt. Washington is lower than Mt. Jefferson.
Mt) Washington is higher than Mt. Adams.
Which mountain is highest?
Missy reads the fourth word incorrectly-she thinks the word is higher rather than lower-and consequently answers the problem incorrectly. From an information processing perspective, Missy's difficulty is due to:
A) Her limited working memory capacity
B) Functional fixedness
C) The way she encodes information
D) The fact that she is retrieving information that hasn't been stored meaningfully

Accepted Answer

Missy's difficulty stems from the way she encodes information, specifically her misreading of the word "lower" as "higher," which affects her understanding and processing of the problem.

Question 10

Three of the following examples reflect the use of metacognition in problem solving. Which one shows little or no metacognition?
A) When Allan discovers that his homework assignment in social studies involves an especially ill-defined and difficult problem, he realizes that he will have to devote a considerable amount of time to the assignment.
B) Brendan is replacing an old, single-paned window in his home with a new, double-paned window unit. Before he begins to work, he thinks about the steps he will need to take and jots down the tools and materials he will need to purchase.
C) Clyde is working on a series of word problems after a unit on multiplication of two-digit numbers. To complete the task as quickly as possible, he simply multiplies the two numbers he sees in each problem; he doesn't bother to read the problems themselves.
D) When Duncan's chemistry teacher assigns a challenging problem that she wants her students to address in chemistry lab, Duncan feels confident that he has both the knowledge and skills to solve the problem successfully if he works slowly and carefully.

Accepted Answer

Option C does not show any metacognition as Clyde is not reflecting on his problem-solving approach or considering his understanding of the problem. He is just rushing to complete the task as quickly as possible without considering the process and quality of his problem-solving. Options A, B, and D involve metacognition as the individuals are reflecting on their problem-solving process, considering the resources required, and evaluating their knowledge and skills.

Question 11

Peter is trying to find something his cat will eat. He presents a variety of different foods to the cat until eventually she begins to eat something. Peter's approach to the problem of feeding a finicky cat can probably best be understood from which 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

Accepted Answer

Peter's approach of presenting different foods until finding one his cat will eat is an example of the trial-and-error method of problem solving. He is trying different solutions until he finds one that works.

Question 12

David is trying to calculate the total cost of the groceries in his grocery cart. He has four apples for 35¢ each, five potatoes for 15¢ each, and three cake mixes for $2.25 each. He begins by thinking to himself, "Let's see, four times 35¢ is what? Two times 35¢ is 70¢, and then two times 70¢ is $1.40. And then what do I do next? Oh, yes, I need to know what 5 times 15 equals. I can't remember, but let's see if I can figure it out...." From an information processing perspective, David may have difficulty solving the problem because:
A) He is using an inappropriate heuristic.
B) His working memory capacity may be insufficient to hold and process all the information.
C) He is encoding the problem incorrectly.
D) He is demonstrating functional fixedness with regard to his knowledge of multiplication facts.

Accepted Answer

David may be experiencing difficulty because he is attempting to mentally multiply and add multiple numbers at once, which may exceed the capacity of his working memory. This can lead to difficulty in processing and retaining the information needed to solve the problem.

Question 13

When Daneesha encounters the problem "If apples are 35¢ each, how much will 7 apples cost?" she thinks, "Many items at the same price . . . hmm, this kind of situation usually calls for multiplication." Daneesha's reasoning reflects the use of:
A) incubation
B) inert knowledge
C) a problem schema
D) means-ends analysis

Accepted Answer

Daneesha's thinking reflects the use of a problem schema, or a mental framework for understanding and solving a particular type of problem. In this case, the schema is for problems involving the multiplication of items at the same price.

Question 14

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates the effect of functional fixedness on problem solving?
A) Arnie is trying to solve a physics problem on a classroom test. He is so anxious that he can't recall the problem-solving strategies he needs.
B) Bradley is looking for something to haul water but doesn't have a bucket. He fails to realize that his plastic wastebasket could easily carry water.
C) Charlie is doing a series of addition problems. He overlooks the subtraction sign on the last problem and so adds when he should subtract.
D) Doug is angry that another boy stole his bicycle. Rather than report the theft to the police, he steals a bicycle from someone else.

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is when someone is unable to see an object's potential other than what it is typically used for. In this example, Bradley is only thinking of his wastebasket as a container for trash and not considering that it could also hold water.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Peg's sudden realization that she can reach the light by piling two telephone books on the chair fits with the Gestalt notion of insight, which is the sudden understanding or solution to a problem that is not reached through trial-and-error or repetitive steps.

Question 16

Martha is trying to decide what to give to her best friend Rose as a birthday present. She begins by looking closely at how Rose spends her time. She also browses in a number of different department stores to identify numerous things within her price range. Then she lets the problem "incubate" in her head for a few days while she engages in other activities. Eventually she chooses what she thinks will be the best gift for Rose. Martha's approach to the problem can probably best be understood from which 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

Accepted Answer

Martha's approach involves multiple stages, including analysis of Rose's interests and browsing for options, followed by an incubation period before making a final decision. This aligns with the stages of problem solving approach.

Question 17

Research indicates that people are more likely to be successful problem solvers in a given subject area when they:
A) pay considerable attention to details
B) know the subject matter very well
C) have had extensive training in logical thinking
D) have already acquired problem-solving expertise in a very different subject area

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that knowing the subject matter well is a key factor in successful problem-solving. While paying attention to details and logical thinking are important, they may not be as effective if the individual lacks knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. The option D may also be a factor but not as important as having a strong understanding of the specific subject area.

Question 18

The primary advantage of using an algorithm rather than a heuristic) is that it:
A) Always yields a correct solution if executed correctly
B) Is widely applicable to many different content domains
C) Can be easily used by the typical 6-year-old child
D) Never takes more than five minutes to complete

Accepted Answer

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures that always produce a correct solution if followed correctly, whereas heuristics are more flexible and less structured problem-solving strategies that do not guarantee a correct solution. Therefore, the primary advantage of using an algorithm is that it always yields a correct solution if executed correctly.

Question 19

Perry is trying to solve the following riddle: "What creature walks first on four legs, then two, then three?" He repeatedly tries to think of an animal that might walk on three legs, but he can only think of animals that walk on either two or four legs. Finally, he is told the correct answer: a human being, who crawls, then walks, then walks with a cane. Which one of the following is the most likely explanation of Perry's difficulty?
A) He has encoded the problem with too narrow a definition of "legs."
B) He doesn't have enough working memory capacity.
C) He doesn't have a sufficient knowledge base.
D) He is suffering from functional fixedness.

Accepted Answer

Perry's difficulty in solving the riddle suggests that he has a narrow definition of "legs". He is only considering animals that walk on either two or four legs, and not considering the fact that humans walk with a cane or a crutch. Therefore, he has encoded the problem with too narrow a definition of "legs".

Question 20

Sheila is a physicist who has been successfully solving physics problems for years. Tamara is a beginning physics student. Which one of the following differences between Sheila and Tamara are we most likely to see in terms of how they approach physics problems?
A) Sheila is more likely than Tamara to make sure the problems are well-defined before she begins to solve them.
B) Sheila is more likely than Tamara to classify problems based on their superficial characteristics.
C) Sheila is apt to retrieve less information from long-term memory than Tamara retrieves.
D) Sheila is more likely than Tamara to have functional fixedness when she works on problems.

Accepted Answer

Sheila, as an experienced physicist, is more likely to approach problems systematically and make sure they are well-defined before attempting to solve them. Tamara, as a novice, may be more likely to jump into problem-solving without ensuring the problem is properly understood. Option B is unlikely since classifying problems based on superficial characteristics is not typically a useful approach to physics problem-solving. Option C is also unlikely without further information about both individuals' memory capacities. Option D is unlikely since functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that is more commonly observed in novices than experts.

Quiz 13: Transfer, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking Chapter 13 Transfer, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking Multiple Choice Questions

Which one of the following problems is the best example of an ill-defined problem?

From the perspective of information processing theory, incubation facilitates problem solving primarily by:

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates the role of retrieval in problem solving?

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates how mental set can interfere with problem solving?

Ms. Sharp wants her students to use what they learn in their psychology class to interact with other people more effectively. Given what we know about factors that promote transfer, which one of the following teaching strategies is most likely to accomplish this objective?

Three of the following examples reflect the use of metacognition in problem solving. Which one shows little or no metacognition?

Peter is trying to find something his cat will eat. He presents a variety of different foods to the cat until eventually she begins to eat something. Peter's approach to the problem of feeding a finicky cat can probably best be understood from which of the following perspectives of problem solving?

When Daneesha encounters the problem "If apples are 35¢ each, how much will 7 apples cost?" she thinks, "Many items at the same price . . . hmm, this kind of situation usually calls for multiplication." Daneesha's reasoning reflects the use of:

Which one of the following examples most clearly illustrates the effect of functional fixedness on problem solving?

Research indicates that people are more likely to be successful problem solvers in a given subject area when they:

The primary advantage of using an algorithm rather than a heuristic) is that it:

Sheila is a physicist who has been successfully solving physics problems for years. Tamara is a beginning physics student. Which one of the following differences between Sheila and Tamara are we most likely to see in terms of how they approach physics problems?