Which statement best characterises problem solving in general?
AGoal-directed thinking that links an initial state to a goal via mental operations
BRandom goalless thinking that wanders across mental images without aim
CThinking that only takes place when language is fully used aloud
DThinking that always produces a single right answer by convergence
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Goal-directed thinking that links an initial state to a goal via mental operations
1. The chapter opens the section with a definition.
2. Problem solving is described as thinking that is goal-directed.
3. In problem solving there is an initial state and an end state called the goal.
4. These two anchors are connected by several steps or mental operations.
5. Distractor 4 confuses problem solving with convergent thinking; the chapter notes problem solving can be open-ended too.
6. Hence problem solving is goal-directed, initial-to-goal thinking via mental operations.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 7 "Thinking", p. 113, Problem Solving_
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