Exam 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking in Psychology and Everyday Life

Open-mindedness, fair-mindedness, and a skeptical attitude are examples of:

According to the text, what is the BEST reason for rejecting the misconception that the moon makes people behave abnormally?

Two members of a study group demonstrate a well-informed argument. If one student first makes a claim and supports it with evidence, the second student may then offer an opposing view that:

According to the text, people who show a critical thinking disposition are more likely to:

Personal experiences, research studies, and statements by experts or authorities are all examples of:

Lola said, "Scientists have not been able to prove that intelligence design theory is not true, so it is probably correct." Lola is showing the thinking error of:

Considering the other side, or an alternative position, and explaining how it could be true is a recommendation in this textbook for dealing with:

Tia's friend showed her a book about perception that presented many different visual illusions. Tia was fooled by each of the book's illusions. Finally, Tia said, "My experience tells me that all perception is inaccurate." Has Tia made a basic argument?

Explain what makes one scientific theory better than another. Provide an example of how a specific theory is superior to another theory, and describe what makes it better.

Reasons offered in support of a claim are referred to as:

Liang said to Cara, "I think that the Bigfoot creature exists because scientists have not been able to show that it does not exist. Therefore, it most likely does exist." What thinking error or problem in reasoning is Liang showing?

Jason tells his roommate: "A researcher quoted in a magazine article said that astrological signs correlate with people's personality traits. Therefore, my horoscope will tell me a lot about myself." Does Jason make a basic argument?

Haley said, "Lots of studies support the dual process theory of thinking." Dana replied, "Thinking is thinking. I don't believe there is more than one type of thinking. Anyway, dual process theory is just a theory." Dana does NOT realize that:

Cognition can be defined as the mental processes involved in encoding, storage, retrieval, and use of information. Furthermore, cognition involves several mental abilities such as attention, perception, learning, memory, and problem solving. These statements do NOT present a basic argument because they:

Knowing when to use your knowledge and skills and whether you are using them correctly is MOST related to:

If a person's task is to examine the relevant evidence to decide whether a theory is justified, which of the following kinds of thinking is required MOST to draw a good conclusion?

Asawin and his friends went to a show at the student center where a mind reader was able to tell people from the audience things about themselves and what they were thinking. Afterward, none of Asawin's friends could explain how the man did this. Asawin said, "After seeing this demonstration, I am convinced that the man was mind reading." Is Asawin making a basic argument?

Consider this statement: "Charles Darwin hypothesized that humans and dogs have evolved similar emotional expressions on the face, as in human and canine displays of anger. He based this hypothesis on observations that anger expressions in humans involve a pulling back of the lips to reveal the teeth, similar to the way dogs show their canine teeth in aggressive displays." The presentation of _____ make(s) this a basic argument.

The general term in the text that refers to mistakes in judgment and reasoning is:

Mistaken ideas about psychology are sometimes called "myths." These myths are considered _____ because they are not supported by research.