Choose the correct statement
a. people typically use problem-solving strategies that can produce a solution fairly quickly.
b. people are likely to take a more passive approach when solving problems than when working on most other cognitive tasks.
c. the most useful problem-solving strategy is called the trial-and-error method.
d. people typically solve a problem by visualizing the goal state and ignoring the initial state.

The correct answer is a.

Explanation:

According to Margaret Matlin's Cognition, problem-solving is a process where we try to find the solution to a problem or dilemma, but we haven't figured out yet what's the best course of action in order to solve it, either because we lack the required information to do so or because there's something that stands in our way. While this process can be quite complicated, involving a large number of steps, they can be summarized in three: an initial state, where we identify and try to understand the problem; a goal state, where we visualize what's the end result of our problem-solving strategy; and the obstacles, where we face whatever stands between us and solving the problem.

Matlin mentions how people typically use problem-solving strategies that can produce a solution fairly quickly, rather than use a more careful and methodic approach, such as trial and error. This happens because  problem-solving is an active approach, rather than passive, but this often leads to a situation where we want to solve our problems quickly so we can move on, instead of as thoroughly as possible.

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