Question 1

In a problem-solving situation, what is considered in a means-end analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  random associations 
B)  only the eventual goal 
C)  only the current state of affairs 
D)  both the current state of affairs and the eventual goal 
A)  random associations 
B)  only the eventual goal 
C)  only the current state of affairs 
D)  both the current state of affairs and the eventual goal

Question 2

Psychological research on thinking is focused mainly on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  reasoning 
B)  attending to 
C)  believing 
D)  remembering 
A)  reasoning 
B)  attending to 
C)  believing 
D)  remembering

Question 3

A participant views an ambiguous drawing that can look like either a man or a rat for a few seconds. After the drawing is removed, the subject is asked to describe the visual image from memory. What will the subject most likely describe?

Accepted Answer

A)  either a man or the rat, whichever was perceived originally 
B)  a reversal of what was perceived originally (i.e., from man to rat and vice versa) 
C)  a figure that looks in part like a man, in part like a rat 
D)  The subject is equally likely to describe any of the above. 
A)  either a man or the rat, whichever was perceived originally 
B)  a reversal of what was perceived originally (i.e., from man to rat and vice versa) 
C)  a figure that looks in part like a man, in part like a rat 
D)  The subject is equally likely to describe any of the above.

Question 4

Going home involves going to the bus depot, then buying a ticket, then getting on the bus. Buying a ticket involves getting in line, then waiting, then asking for a ticket. Getting on the bus involves. . . . This problem-solving technique exemplifies __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  hierarchical organization 
B)  restructuring 
C)  a set of nodes 
D)  a parallel-distributed processing network 
A)  hierarchical organization 
B)  restructuring 
C)  a set of nodes 
D)  a parallel-distributed processing network

Question 5

Sandy, a true believer in astrology, reads in her horoscope that today is her lucky day. She gets so excited that she spills coffee all over herself, which necessitates a change of clothes, which makes her late for work and for a very important meeting, which in turn gets her into serious trouble with her boss. Later that evening, in the hospital parking lot, on her way to the emergency room where her brother has just been taken, Sandy finds a dime on the ground. What does research on the confirmation bias suggest that Sandy will do?

Accepted Answer

A)  She will renounce astrology as completely wrong because of all the horrible things that happened on her "lucky day." 
B)  She will begin to question her belief in astrology because of all the horrible things that happened on her "lucky day." 
C)  She will seize on the dime she found as evidence of astrology's accuracy. 
D)  Confirmation bias has little or no relevance to how this person will think about astrology in the future. 
A)  She will renounce astrology as completely wrong because of all the horrible things that happened on her "lucky day." 
B)  She will begin to question her belief in astrology because of all the horrible things that happened on her "lucky day." 
C)  She will seize on the dime she found as evidence of astrology's accuracy. 
D)  Confirmation bias has little or no relevance to how this person will think about astrology in the future.

Question 6

"Lucky" Lou considers himself lucky, while his friend "Loser" Larry considers himself unlucky. They each take $100 to a casino and play blackjack for 3 hours. When they leave, they have each lost $20. What does research on the confirmation bias suggest will happen?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because of their losses, "Loser" will maintain his view of himself and "Lucky" will begin to change his view of himself. 
B)  Both men will reason that they were willing to lose $100 but only lost $20, so it is as if they won $80; so "Lucky" will maintain his view of himself and "Loser" will begin to change his. 
C)  "Loser" will begin to change his view of himself, reasoning that he was willing to lose $100 but he only lost $20, so it is as if he won $80. Because of his loss, "Lucky" will also begin to change his view of himself. 
D)  "Loser" will maintain his view of himself because of his loss. "Lucky" will also maintain his view of himself, reasoning that he was willing to lose $100 but he only lost $20, so it is actually like he won $80. 
A)  Because of their losses, "Loser" will maintain his view of himself and "Lucky" will begin to change his view of himself. 
B)  Both men will reason that they were willing to lose $100 but only lost $20, so it is as if they won $80; so "Lucky" will maintain his view of himself and "Loser" will begin to change his. 
C)  "Loser" will begin to change his view of himself, reasoning that he was willing to lose $100 but he only lost $20, so it is as if he won $80. Because of his loss, "Lucky" will also begin to change his view of himself. 
D)  "Loser" will maintain his view of himself because of his loss. "Lucky" will also maintain his view of himself, reasoning that he was willing to lose $100 but he only lost $20, so it is actually like he won $80.

Question 7

Why are people generally happy with the outcomes of their decisions?

Accepted Answer

A)  They can usually predict how they will feel about the results of their choices. 
B)  They usually have many options to choose from. 
C)  They are comfortable with how they have made their decisions. 
D)  They generally follow utility theory in making their decisions. 
A)  They can usually predict how they will feel about the results of their choices. 
B)  They usually have many options to choose from. 
C)  They are comfortable with how they have made their decisions. 
D)  They generally follow utility theory in making their decisions.

Question 8

Which of the following is an advantage of the use of heuristics?

Accepted Answer

A)  A heuristic will present a clearly defined solution to a problem. 
B)  A heuristic is often efficient. 
C)  A heuristic is guaranteed to result in a correct response. 
D)  A heuristic results in only one possible solution to a problem. 
A)  A heuristic will present a clearly defined solution to a problem. 
B)  A heuristic is often efficient. 
C)  A heuristic is guaranteed to result in a correct response. 
D)  A heuristic results in only one possible solution to a problem.

Question 9

A pizza chain is considering increasing the number of special topping combinations it offers customers. You have been hired as a consultant to advise the company on the wisdom of this idea. You tell the company that __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  it will just confuse the customers; they won't like having that many choices 
B)  customers will like seeing all the options, but they may be less happy with their pizza in the end, potentially decreasing your repeat business 
C)  customers might find the options confusing, but they'll be happier with their pizza in the end, potentially increasing your repeat business 
D)  customers will like seeing all the options, and they may be happier with their pizza in the end, potentially increasing your repeat business 
A)  it will just confuse the customers; they won't like having that many choices 
B)  customers will like seeing all the options, but they may be less happy with their pizza in the end, potentially decreasing your repeat business 
C)  customers might find the options confusing, but they'll be happier with their pizza in the end, potentially increasing your repeat business 
D)  customers will like seeing all the options, and they may be happier with their pizza in the end, potentially increasing your repeat business

Question 10

The public may think the economic situation is not as bad as it really is if the government reports employment at 82% instead of saying that the unemployment rate is 18%. In this situation, what factor is influencing these relatively positive judgments?

Accepted Answer

A)  a confirmation bias 
B)  framing effects 
C)  ignoring base rates 
D)  the availability heuristic 
A)  a confirmation bias 
B)  framing effects 
C)  ignoring base rates 
D)  the availability heuristic

Question 11

Based on your text's discussion, which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between sensitivity to an option's disadvantages and the phenomenon of loss aversion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sensitivity to disadvantages reflects loss aversion. 
B)  Sensitivity to disadvantages is unrelated to loss aversion. 
C)  Sensitivity to disadvantages contradicts loss aversion. 
D)  Sensitivity to disadvantages underlies loss aversion. 
A)  Sensitivity to disadvantages reflects loss aversion. 
B)  Sensitivity to disadvantages is unrelated to loss aversion. 
C)  Sensitivity to disadvantages contradicts loss aversion. 
D)  Sensitivity to disadvantages underlies loss aversion.

Question 12

What is another name for the act of reorganizing a problem to produce a shift in the way it is viewed?

Accepted Answer

A)  using an algorithmic problem-solving structure 
B)  restructuring 
C)  functional fixation 
D)  forming a mental set 
A)  using an algorithmic problem-solving structure 
B)  restructuring 
C)  functional fixation 
D)  forming a mental set

Question 13

Whenever we try solving a problem, we bring to that effort all kinds of assumptions, habits of mind, and preexisting knowledge and expectations. All these elements together make up one's __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  mental set 
B)  representativeness heuristic 
C)  availability heuristic 
D)  analogical representation 
A)  mental set 
B)  representativeness heuristic 
C)  availability heuristic 
D)  analogical representation

Question 14

The use of an analogy __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  is automatic; people use analogies in problem solving whenever they are available 
B)  is not always useful unless the problem solver is aware that the analogy is pertinent to the task at hand 
C)  works much better for novices than for experts 
D)  works better if there is only one potential analogy in memory than if there are two or more 
A)  is automatic; people use analogies in problem solving whenever they are available 
B)  is not always useful unless the problem solver is aware that the analogy is pertinent to the task at hand 
C)  works much better for novices than for experts 
D)  works better if there is only one potential analogy in memory than if there are two or more

Question 15

Dr. Unwin is examining the influence of an event's distance into the future on how accurately people predict their feelings following the event. Dr. Unwin is researching __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  satisficing 
B)  affective forecasting 
C)  utility theory 
D)  framing effects 
A)  satisficing 
B)  affective forecasting 
C)  utility theory 
D)  framing effects

Question 16

Ramona is considering several new car models in light of their prices and potential maintenance costs. Ramona is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  reasoning 
B)  making a judgment 
C)  solving a problem 
D)  making a decision 
A)  reasoning 
B)  making a judgment 
C)  solving a problem 
D)  making a decision

Question 17

The number of options has __________ effects on people's satisfaction with the options and the quality of their decisions.

Accepted Answer

A)  negligible 
B)  opposing 
C)  similar 
D)  negative 
A)  negligible 
B)  opposing 
C)  similar 
D)  negative

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a parallel between judgment and reasoning?

Accepted Answer

A)  In both judgment and reasoning tasks, people sometimes perform well and sometimes perform poorly. 
B)  The content of the problem influences performance in both judgment and reasoning tasks. 
C)  Training improves performance on both judgment and reasoning tasks. 
D)  People rely on System I "shortcuts" in both judgment and reasoning. 
A)  In both judgment and reasoning tasks, people sometimes perform well and sometimes perform poorly. 
B)  The content of the problem influences performance in both judgment and reasoning tasks. 
C)  Training improves performance on both judgment and reasoning tasks. 
D)  People rely on System I "shortcuts" in both judgment and reasoning.

Question 19

Orissa is solving a syllogism. Pierre is estimating the likelihood that he will suffer side effects of the medicine he has been prescribed. Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both Orissa and Pierre are using System I thinking. 
B)  Both Orissa and Pierre are using System II thinking. 
C)  Orissa is using System I thinking; Pierre, System II. 
D)  Orissa is using System II thinking; Pierre, System I. 
A)  Both Orissa and Pierre are using System I thinking. 
B)  Both Orissa and Pierre are using System II thinking. 
C)  Orissa is using System I thinking; Pierre, System II. 
D)  Orissa is using System II thinking; Pierre, System I.

Question 20

"When you have trouble in a class, try outlining the book in your own words." What is this general "rule of thumb" for solving a common academic problem called?

Accepted Answer

A)  a syllogism 
B)  a hierarchy 
C)  a heuristic 
D)  an algorithm 
A)  a syllogism 
B)  a hierarchy 
C)  a heuristic 
D)  an algorithm

In a problem-solving situation, what is considered in a means-end analysis?

Psychological research on thinking is focused mainly on which of the following?

A participant views an ambiguous drawing that can look like either a man or a rat for a few seconds. After the drawing is removed, the subject is asked to describe the visual image from memory. What will the subject most likely describe?

Going home involves going to the bus depot, then buying a ticket, then getting on the bus. Buying a ticket involves getting in line, then waiting, then asking for a ticket. Getting on the bus involves. . . . This problem-solving technique exemplifies __________.

"Lucky" Lou considers himself lucky, while his friend "Loser" Larry considers himself unlucky. They each take $100 to a casino and play blackjack for 3 hours. When they leave, they have each lost $20. What does research on the confirmation bias suggest will happen?

Why are people generally happy with the outcomes of their decisions?

Which of the following is an advantage of the use of heuristics?

A pizza chain is considering increasing the number of special topping combinations it offers customers. You have been hired as a consultant to advise the company on the wisdom of this idea. You tell the company that __________.

The public may think the economic situation is not as bad as it really is if the government reports employment at 82% instead of saying that the unemployment rate is 18%. In this situation, what factor is influencing these relatively positive judgments?

Based on your text's discussion, which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between sensitivity to an option's disadvantages and the phenomenon of loss aversion?

What is another name for the act of reorganizing a problem to produce a shift in the way it is viewed?

Whenever we try solving a problem, we bring to that effort all kinds of assumptions, habits of mind, and preexisting knowledge and expectations. All these elements together make up one's __________.

The use of an analogy __________.

Dr. Unwin is examining the influence of an event's distance into the future on how accurately people predict their feelings following the event. Dr. Unwin is researching __________.

Ramona is considering several new car models in light of their prices and potential maintenance costs. Ramona is __________.

The number of options has __________ effects on people's satisfaction with the options and the quality of their decisions.

Which of the following is NOT a parallel between judgment and reasoning?

Orissa is solving a syllogism. Pierre is estimating the likelihood that he will suffer side effects of the medicine he has been prescribed. Which of the following is TRUE?

"When you have trouble in a class, try outlining the book in your own words." What is this general "rule of thumb" for solving a common academic problem called?

Research Methods

Evolutionary and Genetic Influences on Behavior

The Brain and the Nervous System

Sensation

Perception

Consciousness

Learning

Memory

Language

Intelligence

Motivation and Emotion

Social Psychology

Development

Personality

Psychopathology

Treatment of Mental Disorders

Filters

Exam 9: Thinking

In a problem-solving situation, what is considered in a means-end analysis?

Psychological research on thinking is focused mainly on which of the following?

A participant views an ambiguous drawing that can look like either a man or a rat for a few seconds. After the drawing is removed, the subject is asked to describe the visual image from memory. What will the subject most likely describe?

Going home involves going to the bus depot, then buying a ticket, then getting on the bus. Buying a ticket involves getting in line, then waiting, then asking for a ticket. Getting on the bus involves. . . . This problem-solving technique exemplifies __________.

"Lucky" Lou considers himself lucky, while his friend "Loser" Larry considers himself unlucky. They each take $100 to a casino and play blackjack for 3 hours. When they leave, they have each lost $20. What does research on the confirmation bias suggest will happen?

Why are people generally happy with the outcomes of their decisions?

Which of the following is an advantage of the use of heuristics?

A pizza chain is considering increasing the number of special topping combinations it offers customers. You have been hired as a consultant to advise the company on the wisdom of this idea. You tell the company that __________.

The public may think the economic situation is not as bad as it really is if the government reports employment at 82% instead of saying that the unemployment rate is 18%. In this situation, what factor is influencing these relatively positive judgments?

Based on your text's discussion, which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between sensitivity to an option's disadvantages and the phenomenon of loss aversion?

What is another name for the act of reorganizing a problem to produce a shift in the way it is viewed?

Whenever we try solving a problem, we bring to that effort all kinds of assumptions, habits of mind, and preexisting knowledge and expectations. All these elements together make up one's __________.

The use of an analogy __________.

Dr. Unwin is examining the influence of an event's distance into the future on how accurately people predict their feelings following the event. Dr. Unwin is researching __________.

Ramona is considering several new car models in light of their prices and potential maintenance costs. Ramona is __________.

The number of options has __________ effects on people's satisfaction with the options and the quality of their decisions.

Which of the following is NOT a parallel between judgment and reasoning?

Orissa is solving a syllogism. Pierre is estimating the likelihood that he will suffer side effects of the medicine he has been prescribed. Which of the following is TRUE?

"When you have trouble in a class, try outlining the book in your own words." What is this general "rule of thumb" for solving a common academic problem called?

Research Methods

Evolutionary and Genetic Influences on Behavior

The Brain and the Nervous System

Sensation

Perception

Consciousness

Learning

Memory

Language

Intelligence

Motivation and Emotion

Social Psychology

Development

Personality

Psychopathology

Treatment of Mental Disorders

Filters