UCR Winter 2025- Psych 134 - Exam #4 Practice test

What is the definition of a problem in cognitive psychology?

• A situation with a clear answer

• An obstacle between a present state and a goal

• A set of facts requiring memorization

• A well-defined question with a single solution

Insight problems always require step-by-step analysis.

• True

• False

The Gestalt approach to problem-solving emphasizes:

• The role of heuristics

• The importance of trial and error

• The whole being greater than the sum of its parts

• The use of algorithms

Functional fixedness occurs when:

• We fail to see alternative uses for an object

• We apply past knowledge to a new problem

• We restructure a problem for a better solution

• We use heuristics to solve problems

Experts always outperform novices in every type of problem.

• True

• False

The water jug problem demonstrates:

• The impact of mental set on problem-solving

• The effects of functional fixedness

• The role of creativity in problem-solving

• The use of analogies in reasoning

According to the information-processing approach, problem-solving involves:

• A direct path from problem to solution

• A search between the initial and goal state

• The use of mental imagery

• The application of heuristics only

The two-string problem illustrates:

• Insight problem-solving

• The importance of heuristics

• Functional fixedness

• The representativeness heuristic

Means-end analysis involves:

• Solving a problem by trial and error

• Reducing differences between the initial and goal state by creating sub-goals

• Using analogies to map solutions

• Avoiding intermediate states in problem-solving

The mutilated checkerboard problem demonstrates:

• Functional fixedness

• The importance of problem representation

• The effect of heuristics on problem-solving

• The role of insight in reasoning