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

question 161

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

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Definitions:

Geert Hofstede

A Dutch social psychologist known for his research on cross-cultural groups and organizations, especially for developing the cultural dimensions theory, which identifies how cultures differ across countries.

Cultural Dimensions

Theoretical concepts developed to describe the effects of a society's culture on the values of its members, and how these values relate to behavior.

Power Distance

A cultural dimension that describes the extent to which members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.

Human Rights

Fundamental rights believed to be entitled to every person regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, religion, or any other status.