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:

Price Elasticity

The measure of how much the quantity demanded of a good responds to a change in the price of that good, indicating the sensitivity of consumers to price changes.

Substitutes

Products or services that can replace each other in use or consumption, thereby affecting consumer choices and market dynamics.

Product

An item or service that is created through a process and is offered for sale or use.

Luxury Goods

High-end products and services that are perceived to be more prestigious and are usually purchased by individuals with more disposable income.