Question 1

According to the hierarchy of thinking-related concepts shown in Figure 11.1, which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Planning is a kind of Deciding, which is a kind of Reasoning.

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of cognitive economy?

Accepted Answer

Using mental shortcuts to save cognitive resources, even if it sometimes leads to errors.

Question 3

A person believes that all engineers are good at math because every engineer they know is good at math. This is an example of which heuristic?

Accepted Answer

Representativeness heuristic

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the availability heuristic?

Accepted Answer

Assuming airplane crashes are common after seeing several news reports about recent crashes.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Starting with the theory that all mammals have lungs, knowing that whales are mammals, and concluding that whales have lungs.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the main difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning generalizes from observations, while deductive reasoning applies general principles to specific cases.

Question 7

A hockey player makes a split-second decision about where to shoot the puck without considering all alternatives. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Nonrational decision making

Question 8

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of cognitive economy?

Accepted Answer

It can result in faulty conclusions due to oversimplification.

Question 9

Which of the following best illustrates the problem-solving obstacle known as functional fixedness?

Accepted Answer

Using a butter knife only to spread butter, not realizing it could also tighten a screw.

Question 10

A judge makes poorer decisions later in the day after hearing many cases. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Decision fatigue

Question 11

Which of the following statements about language and thinking is most consistent with linguistic relativism?

Accepted Answer

Language influences thinking but does not fully determine it.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of the salience of surface similarities as a problem-solving obstacle?

Accepted Answer

Using the same solution for two problems because they both involve crying babies, without considering the underlying cause.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes an algorithm in problem solving?

Accepted Answer

A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution if applied correctly.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of irrational decision making?

Accepted Answer

Choosing a meal based on what you are in the mood for, despite trying to eat healthily.

Question 15

Which of the following best illustrates the use of a mental set as a problem-solving obstacle?

Accepted Answer

A researcher always uses the same statistical test for every study, regardless of the research question.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a form of thinking as described in the module?

Accepted Answer

Sleeping

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of rational decision making?

Accepted Answer

Making decisions based on a careful analysis of all alternatives to achieve a goal.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of the availability heuristic influencing public perception?

Accepted Answer

Believing that shark attacks are common after seeing several news stories about them, despite statistical evidence to the contrary.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the relationship between thinking and language according to the module?

Accepted Answer

Language and thinking are highly interconnected, but language is not absolutely necessary for all aspects of thinking.

Thinking, Reasoning, and Decision-Making: Psychology Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions