CS 408-Quiz 2

What is a mental model? 

a) A physical representation of the brain 

b) A model used in psychology experiments 

c) A representation of how the mind works 

d) A model used in computer programming
Answer: c) A representation of how the mind works

Who proposed the concept of mental models in the 1640s? 

a) Donald Norman 

b) Kenneth Craik 

c) Johnson-Laird 

d) Sigmund Freud
Answer: b) Kenneth Craik

According to Kenneth Craik, what do mental models allow us to do? 

a) React to future situations before they arise 

b) Utilize the knowledge of past events 

c) Try out various alternatives 

d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

What is the difference between mental models and images? 

a) Mental models are incomplete and easily confusable, while images are stable 

b) Mental models are analogical representations, while images are prepositional representations 

c) Mental models are used for inference and prediction, while images are one-off representations 

d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

What is the term used to describe a user's mental model of an interactive product? 

a) User interface 

b) User experience 

c) Mental simulation 

d) Mental model interface
Answer: c) Mental simulation

What happens as someone learns more about a system and how it functions? 

a) Their mental model becomes more shallow 

b) Their mental model becomes more complete and stable 

c) Their mental model becomes more confusable 

d) Their mental model becomes based on superstition
Answer: b) Their mental model becomes more complete and stable

In the thermostat example, why do most people choose to set the temperature as high as possible? 

a) It increases the rate at which the room warms up 

b) It conserves energy 

c) It ensures even heating throughout the house 

d) It has no effect on the heating process
Answer: a) It increases the rate at which the room warms up

What are the two commonly held folk theories about thermostats? 

a) The timer theory and the valve theory 

b) The on-off theory and the temperature theory 

c) The analogical theory and the prepositional theory 

d) The image theory and the mental model theory
Answer: a) The timer theory and the valve theory

How do thermostats control the heating process? 

a) By adjusting the relative proportion of time the device stays on 

b) By controlling how much heat is given out from the device 

c) By switching the device on and off to maintain the desired temperature 

d) By adjusting the power of the heating system
Answer: c) By switching the device on and off to maintain the desired temperature

What is one reason why people use incorrect mental models? 

a) Lack of education about how things work 

b) Resistance to learning about complex systems 

c) Reliance on superstition and inappropriate analogies d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

What is the phenomenon called when people experience failure at a task and believe they are helpless? 

a) Learned helplessness 

b) Taught helplessness 

c) Mental simulation 

d) Cognitive dissonance
Answer: a) Learned helplessness

What is the purpose of mental models in decision-making? 

a) To ensure objective and rational decision-making 

b) To provide a framework for understanding complex information

c) To minimize biases and heuristics d) To predict the future with accuracy
Answer: b) To provide a framework for understanding complex information

What is the role of mental models in problem-solving? 

a) To limit creativity and innovative thinking 

b) To prevent individuals from considering multiple perspectives 

c) To guide individuals in generating potential solutions 

d) To discourage collaboration and teamwork
Answer: c) To guide individuals in generating potential solutions

How do mental models contribute to effective communication? 

a) By facilitating shared understanding among individuals 

b) By promoting misunderstandings and conflicts 

c) By limiting the exchange of information and ideas 

d) By hindering empathy and active listening
Answer: a) By facilitating shared understanding among individuals

What is one limitation of mental models? 

a) They are too abstract and difficult to understand 

b) They are fixed and resistant to change 

c) They are not applicable in real-world settings 

d) They are only relevant in scientific research
Answer: b) They are fixed and resistant to change

Which term describes the process of adjusting mental models to accommodate new information? 

a) Assimilation 

b) Accommodation 

c) Adaptation 

d) Assumption
Answer: b) Accommodation

How do mental models influence perception? 

a) They enhance sensory perception 

b) They distort sensory perception 

c) They have no impact on sensory perception 

d) They replace sensory perception
Answer: b) They distort sensory perception

What is the term used to describe a mental model that is consistent with reality? 

a) Accurate model 

b) Constructive model 

c) Valid model 

d) Objective model
Answer: c) Valid model

Which discipline studies mental models and their effects on human cognition? 

a) Anthropology 

b) Sociology 

c) Psychology 

d) Economics
Answer: c) Psychology

What is the purpose of mental models in learning? 

a) To hinder the acquisition of new knowledge 

b) To reinforce existing beliefs and assumptions 

c) To facilitate the integration of new information 

d) To discourage critical thinking
Answer: c) To facilitate the integration of new information

What role do mental models play in decision-making under uncertainty? 

a) They eliminate uncertainty and ensure perfect decisions 

b) They increase the likelihood of biased judgments 

c) They guide individuals in making informed choices 

d) They promote impulsive and irrational decisions
Answer: c) They guide individuals in making informed choices

How do mental models influence problem-solving in creative tasks? 

a) They limit creativity and innovation 

b) They facilitate novel insights and solutions 

c) They hinder the generation of alternative ideas 

d) They discourage experimentation and risk-taking
Answer: b) They facilitate novel insights and solutions

Which term describes the process of using mental models to simulate future scenarios? 

a) Mental simulation 

b) Mental imagery 

c) Mental representation 

d) Mental processing
Answer: a) Mental simulation

What is the role of mental models in expertise development? 

a) They have no impact on expertise development 

b) They facilitate the acquisition of domain-specific knowledge 

c) They hinder the development of specialized skills 

d) They replace the need for extensive practice
Answer: b) They facilitate the acquisition of domain-specific knowledge

How do mental models contribute to effective problem-solving in teams? 

a) They promote conflict and disagreements 

b) They hinder collaboration and coordination 

c) They facilitate shared understanding and coordination 

d) They discourage individual contributions and creativity
Answer: c) They facilitate shared understanding and coordination

Which term describes a mental model that is oversimplified and inaccurate? 

a) Faulty model 

b) Flawed model 

c) Misguided model 

d) Simplistic model
Answer: b) Flawed model

What is one way to improve mental models? 

a) Avoid seeking new information and perspectives 

b) Rely solely on personal experiences and intuition 

c) Challenge existing assumptions and beliefs 

d) Stick to rigid and fixed thinking patterns
Answer: c) Challenge existing assumptions and beliefs

Which term describes the process of consciously reflecting on and evaluating mental models? 

a) Meta cognition 

b) Introspection 

c) Self-awareness 

d) Self-reflection
Answer: a) Meta cognition