51. Which problem-solving strategy or method is CORRECTLY matched with its definition?
A. Means-ends analysis - dividing a problem into intermediate steps
B. Forming subgoals - focusing on a problem's goal rather than its starting point
C. Working backward - reducing the apparent difference between the current state of the problem and the goal
D. Insight - experiencing a sudden awareness of the relationships among a problem's components
52. Kent and Kirsten are both trying to reduce their consumer debt. Kent isolates several more concrete problems he can solve to achieve his goal, such as paying the highest-interest debts first and freezing credit card spending. Kirsten simply pays her largest debt first, because this would seem to be the fastest way to move her debt as close to zero as possible. Kent's plan reflects the problem-solving strategy of _____. Kirsten's method illustrates the strategy of _____.
A. forming subgoals; trial and error
B. means-end analysis; trial and error
C. working backward; means-end analysis
D. forming subgoals; means-end analysis
53. The study of insight is associated with the German psychologist _____; he studied problem solving among _____.
A. Kohler; chimpanzees
B. Kohler; humans
C. Wundt; cats
D. Wundt; humans
54. _____ is defined as a sudden awareness of the relationship among problem elements; it is thought to lead rapidly to the problem's solution.
A. Convergent thinking
B. Divergent thinking
C. Insight
D. Creativity
55. The text's discussion of insight suggests that its key characteristic is its:
A. brevity.
B. complexity.
C. uniqueness.
D. suddenness.
56. According to the text, the apparent suddenness of insightful problem solutions:
A. may rest in part on the foundation of trial and error.
B. may be based on the availability heuristic.
C. has been affirmed by empirical research.
D. requires the application of confirmation bias.
57. Which of the following impediments to effective problem solving is INCORRECTLY matched with an illustrative problem?
A. Confirmation bias—problem of security in the Middle East
B. Functional fixedness—water jar problem
C. Mental set—water jar problem
D. Functional fixedness—candle problem
58. _____ refers to the tendency for old patterns of problem solving to persist.
A. Mental set
B. Representativeness heuristic
C. Availability heuristic
D. Syllogistic frame
59. Zelma is asked to think of all the words she can, beginning with the letters "squ," such as squeak. She is then given a fill-in-the-blank task on which one of the items is "s _ _ o n g." Zelma keeps trying to make "squong" a word, and has trouble thinking of the common word strong. Zelma's ability to solve this problem has been hampered by:
A. syllogistic reasoning.
B. a mental set.
C. the confirmation bias.
D. the representativeness heuristic.
60. Which of the following statements best expresses the relationship between mental and functional fixedness?
A. Functional fixedness is an example of a broader phenomenon known as mental set.
B. Mental set is actually a specific instance of functional fixedness.
C. Functional fixedness and mental set are the same thing.
D. Functional fixedness and mental set are distinct problem-solving impediments.