Thinking/Problem Solving

Pablo vainly searches for a screwdriver while failing to recognize that a readily available coin in his pocket would turn the screw. His oversight best illustrates: 

• functional fixedness.
• the availability heuristic.
• belief perseverance.
• the representativeness heuristic.

A defense attorney emphasizes to a jury that her client works full-time, supports his family, and enjoys leisure-time hobbies. Although none of this information is relevant to the trial, it is designed to make the defendant appear to be a typical member of the local community. The lawyer is most clearly attempting to take advantage 

• confirmation bias.
• functional fixedness.
• belief perseverance.
• the representativeness heuristic.

Which of the following is TRUE?

• People underestimate the accuracy of their judgments.
• People pay closest attention to information that disconfirms what they believe.
• It is difficult for most people to explain away their failures.
• People are overconfident about how they will perform on various tasks.

Advertisers know that a thirty-three percent discount sounds like a better deal than a discount of one third.  This best illustrates:

• framing.
• belief bias.
• representativeness heuristics.
• confirmation bias.

Maintaining one's conceptions even after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited is known as: 

• the representativeness heuristic.
• belief perseverance.
• confirmation bias.
• functional fixedness.

Problem solving is one type of cognitive activity in which we all engage.  Which of the following cognitive tendencies is seen to be an obstacle to problem solving?

• availability heuristic
• insight
• prototype confusion
• confirmation bias

Which type of problem solving technique is methodical, logical, and will always lead to a correct answer if there is one?

• Heuristic

• Insight

• Algorithm

• Convergent Thinking

• Divergent Thinking

Which type of problem solving strategy allows us to make an estimate on the likelihood of events based on how much that event matches a prototype?

• Intuition

• Insight

• Availability Heuristic

• Representativeness Heuristic

• Algorithm

Despite overwhelming and highly publicized evidence that Senator McEwan was guilty of serious political corruption and misconduct, many who had supported her in past elections remained convinced of her political integrity. Their reaction best illustrates

• fixation.

• the representativeness heuristic.

• belief perseverance.

• the availability heuristic.

• the framing effect.

When Janice forgot to pack a pillow for her camping trip she used her down-jacket as a substitute pillow. In this situation Janice:

• Was not constrained by functional fixedness
• Was constrained by a mental set
• Was constrained by functional fixedness
• Used an algorithm to solve her problem