Exam 1: The Power of Critical Thinking

A consulting firm that provides environmental impact reports is asked to assess the impact of a proposed project for a large-scale open pit coal mining operation. Using the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric, the agency receiving that report evaluates the critical thinking used by the consulting firm as "unacceptable." Describe that category and list the weaknesses that the report probably contained for it to be evaluated as unacceptable.

A person who believes that critical thinking is similar to other skills-based activities is most likely to suggest that it ________.

Although critical thinking helps people make purposeful and well-reasoned judgments, asking questions can be disturbing to others. Why do questions often have such an effect?

Some people might believe that critical thinking requires one to be cynical and judgmental about others. Based on your understanding of critical thinking explain why that would be a mistaken interpretation.

What are the benefits enjoyed by a society that promotes and teaches critical thinking?

The Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric does not apply unless the work being evaluated includes an attempt to do which of the following?

The evaluative category of the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric that includes displaying close-mindedness and hostility to reason is ________.

Under what conditions would a report or document be considered "strong" based on the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric, and under which category do Simon's arguments most closely fall? Justify your answer.

Why is critical thinking considered a pervasive human phenomenon?

Kelly is in a hurry as she drives home for the holidays. She sees the signs warning that the bridge might be icy but does not reduce her speed because she is confident in her driving skills. But, sure enough, the ice on the bridge is nearly invisible and her car spins out and slams into the side of the bridge. Luckily, she was wearing her seatbelt and the airbag worked. Which of the following contributed to the accident?

What is the key difference between the evaluations "unacceptable" and "weak" as per the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric?

Jacob lives in a closed society that restricts the free flow of information, but he believes that questioning the pros and cons of the government's decisions is essential for the society's progress. How is the society likely to react to Jacob's beliefs? Give reasons to support your answer.

List the similarities between the criteria of both strong and acceptable demonstrations of critical thinking as evaluated by the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric.

The evaluative category of Holistic Critical Thinking Rubric that includes thoughtfully analyzing and evaluating major alternative points of view is _______.

Explain education and the role of critical thinking in promoting a free and open society.

Discuss an example of how failures of critical thinking often contribute to unfortunate accidents.

Which of the following tools can be used to evaluate the quality of the critical thinking displayed by a group engaged in problem solving?

Assume that Global High-tech Solutions Corp. (GHSC) is a business solutions firm. Assume that historically GHSC employees had been trained to follow rules and not question authority. This has lowered the quality of services offered by GHSC as employees have stopped asking questions and offering innovative suggestions. Realizing that it is in trouble, GHSC has decided to hire a trainer who can help its employees improve their critical thinking skills and habits of mind. What qualities should the trainer possess?

A trainer working with business professionals urges that everyone should consciously try to apply their critical thinking skills to workplace problems. The trainer focuses on teaching how to analyze information, present well-reasoned arguments, and evaluate what others have to say in a fair-minded and respectful way. The trainer motivates the business professionals by telling them that they are not beginning from scratch and that they need strong critical thinking not only at work but in all the other aspects of their lives, whenever they need to decide in a reasoned and reflective way what to believe or what to do. Explain the trainer is correct.

Which of the following pair of terms best describes critical thinking?