Chapter 3: Study Questions - Humanology

Some problems persist because you are able to ignore their possible implications. Which strategy helps you to begin the problem-solving process by serving to remind you of the potentially disastrous consequences of your actions?

"Worse-case" scenario

Becoming an effective problem solver does not merely involve applying:

A problem-solving method in a mechanical fashion.

When people fail to understand a difficult problem, out of frustration they may:

Act impulsively without thought.

The purpose of steps 1 through 3 of the problem-solving method is to:

Develop simple solutions to complex problems.

Examining the potential advantages and/or disadvantages in order to determine how helpful each course of action would be is a priority in:

Evaluating alternatives.

Larger problems that are composed of component problems can be defined by applying simple, strategic formulas in a clear but general way.

False

Once you have accepted the problem, the first step in solving it begins with determining the importance of the problem. If a situation is of little importance, you can table the problem until such time as you can go back and solve it.

False

When we think like problem solvers, we find ways to rely heavily on the advice and input of experts who may know better.

False

When you list the benefits of solving a problem, you are "going on record," either by preparing a signed declaration or by signing a "contract" with someone else.

False

Brainstorming builds on the strengths of working with other people to:

Generate ideas and solve problems

In the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" by Nicholas Carr, the author states that the more he uses the Web, the more he:

Has to fight to stay focused on long pieces of writing.

To complete the first major step of the problem-solving approach, you should answer which of the following questions?

How can I define the problem?

To solve a problem, you must first be willing to accept the problem by acknowledging the problem exists. One strategy to help accept a problem is:

Listing the benefits you will derive from successfully dealing with the problem.

The famous newspaper journalist H. L. Mencken once said, "To every complex question there is a simple answer - and it's clever, neat, and wrong!" What was Mr. Mencken referring to?

Many complex questions require complex answers

If someone has something important to do, especially if it is difficult or unpleasant, he or she may tend to put it off, even though this chronic delaying is bothersome. What is the problem?

Procrastination

When considering how well a particular solution to a problem is working, the critical thinker is someone who is ______ to new ideas and experiences and __________ enough to change or modify new beliefs.

Receptive; Flexible

The fact that some people are consistently superior problem solvers is largely due to:

Their ability to approach problems in an informed and organized manner.

Effective problem solvers typically pass through all the steps of the problem-solving method, but they don't always use the sequence presented in the chapter.

True

In a typical brainstorming session, a group of people work together to generate as many ideas as possible in a specific period of time.

True

Once you have decided on the correct alternative(s) to pursue, your next move is to take action by planning specific steps.

True

The quality of your life can be traced in large measure to your competency as a problem solver.

True

To solve a problem, you must first be willing to accept the problem by acknowledging that the problem exists, identifying it, and committing yourself to trying to solve it.

True

Your perspective of a problem is often tied to its location.

True

To define a challenging problem, which of the following strategies can be used to identify the central issue most effectively?

View the problem from different perspectives.

To identify and organize what you know about a problem situation, you can ask yourself - and answer - key questions of fact. Which of the following is NOT a key question of fact?

What if I choose this alternative?