The Patriot Missile System

question 13

Multiple Choice

The Patriot missile system

• A) was designed to shoot down airplanes.
• B) failed to shoot down a Scud missile that killed 28 U.S. soldiers in the Gulf War.
• C) failed because it had been left running too long.
• D) failed because of a computer error.
• E) All of the above

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Definitions:

Functional Fixedness

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used, which can hinder the solving of new problems.

Positive Transfer

The beneficial effect of past learning on the acquisition of new knowledge or skills.

Means-end Analysis

A problem-solving technique that involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts to achieve a desired goal.

Mental Set

A tendency to approach situations in a certain way because that method worked in the past.