In Luchins' Water Jar Problems, Participants Are Asked to Use

question 272

Multiple Choice

In Luchins' water jar problems, participants are asked to use three jars of differing volumes (A, B, and C) to create various final amounts of water. After the first few trials, participants learn that the same formula (B-A-2C) will provide the answer for each of the first few problems. However, Luchins noticed that people had the tendency to continue using this formula on other problems, even when these problems had simpler solutions (such as A-C) . This particular problem-solving block is called

• A)inadequate framing of the problem
• B)flawed inductive reasoning
• C)a belief bias
• D)a mental set

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Definitions:

Oblique Pictorial

A form of pictorial drawing in which the object is presented at a tilt to reveal details, with one face shown in true scale and the others angled.

Receding Axis

An axis that appears to move away or diminish in size in a perspective drawing or model.

Pictorial View

A drawing or illustration that represents an object in three dimensions, providing a realistic view as seen from a particular angle.

Bird's Eye View

A view from above, typically at a high vantage point, giving a comprehensive overview of an area or layout.