Chapter 8 Sections 1 & 2

Rule of thumb, or shortcut, used to solve a problem

• heuristic

• convergent thinking

• functional fixedness

• incubation effect

Thinking about only the available facts to solve a problem

• heuristic

• convergent thinking

• functional fixedness

• incubation effect

Tendency to think of an object as being used only for its usual purpose

• heuristic

• convergent thinking

• functional fixedness

• incubation effect

Allows a person to solve a problem without consciously working on it

• heuristic

• convergent thinking

• functional fixedness

• incubation effect

Problem solving method that identifies goals and the steps needed to reach them

• difference reduction

• prototype

• divergent thinking

• mental set

An example that best represents a particular concept

• difference reduction

• prototype

• divergent thinking

• mental set

Following many leads and using brain storming to solve a problem

• difference reduction

• prototype

• divergent thinking

• mental set

Thinking involves mentally grouping similar objects, events, and ideas into _____________.

• concepts

• symbols

• algorithms

• a systematic search

__________________, which are objects or acts that stand for something else, enable us to think about things that are not present.

• concepts

• symbols

• algorithms

• a systematic search

_________________ describe specific procedures needed to solve a problem.

• concepts

• symbols

• algorithms

• a systematic search