Chapter 1: Critical Thinking: Why It's Important

Rationalizing

"I didn't get the job, but I didn't really want it in the first place." What type of reasoning is this?

Cliches

"To each his own" and "It's all relative" are examples of what type of resistance?

Creative

A creative thinker can view problems from multiple perspectives and devise original solutions to problems.

"higher"

Anthropocentrists tend to think of humans as _____ than other animals.

Complex

As students mature and acquire critical thinking skills, they realize that the world is very _____.

Confirmation bias

Bill watches Fox News because he agrees with the views presented on that station. Bill fallen victim to which bias?

People

Democracy literally means rule by the _____.

Doublethink

Dirk believes that alcohol should be legal but not marijuana. After analyzing his views, Josie accused Dirk of _____.

These students bring diverse viewpoints to the classroom.

From a critical thinking perspective, what is a reason that universities encourage admissions of racial and ethnic minorities or international students?

Thinking done collectively with others.

Generally speaking, what is the most effective method of analysis?

Self-esteem

Good critical thinking skills are positively correlated with healthy _____.

Doublethink

Holding two contradictory views at the same time is known as _____.

Augment

Ideally, your long and short-term goals should _____ each other.

Hierarchy

In drawing up a plan, a person should create a _____ with the most important goals at the top followed by less important goals.

Enthocentrism

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, some Arab Americans were discriminated against. What type of narrow-mindedness did this exhibit?

Relativism

In this stage, individuals reject dualism and instead believe that all truth is a matter of opinion.

When the view is backed by public opinion or the law

In what circumstances is an individual most likely to strongly resist?

First stage - Dualism

In which stage of cognitive development are students most likely to engage in absolutism?

Logic

Individuals with strong analytical skills generally rely on what type of support for their arguments?

Analysis

Jane is trying to understand an issue through examining her own beliefs in comparison to those in her community. At what level of critical thinking is Jane engaged?

Denial

Joe is addicted to cocaine and refuses to accept the fact that he is hurting his family with his drug addiction. He claims that his drug use is "under control." Joe is in _____.

Distraction

Jonas has a midterm next week. Rather than studying, Jonas says he is so nervous that only playing video games can calm him. What types of resistance is this?

Method of belief

Lau was initially skeptical of Raul's argument but decided to accept Raul's ideas in order to more fully understand the opposing viewpoint. Which method of critical analysis is Lau using?

Methods

Logic is the study of the _____ used in distinguishing correct arguments from incorrect arguments.

Avoidance

Malik has strong feelings about gun policies, so he generally steers clear of classmates who disagree. What type of resistance is this?

Conformity

Many people go along with their peers even though they may actually disagree with them to avoid rejection. This type of resistance is termed _____.

Rehearsing

Mentally rehearsing can help focus our responses in stressful situations.

Questions

Often, the best method of inquiry is simply asking the right _____.

Personal feelings

Opinions are generally based on _____.

Reasonable; correct

Opinions, no matter how deeply held, are not necessarily _____ or _____.

Method of distraction

Studying critical thinking is not which of the following methods?

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the superiority of ones own culture is called _____.

Egocentrism

The belief that one's self is the center of all things is called _____.

Sophomoritis

The developmental phase when students doubt all answers and feel disoriented is colloquially called _____.

The unique ability of some individuals to blow the whistle.

The incidents at Abu Ghraib illustrate all of the following except which one?

Absolutism

The tendency to view the world in uncompromising, black and white terms is called _____.

Dualism

The tendency to view things as black or white is known as _____.

Resistance

The use of immature defense mechanisms that are rigid, impulsive, maladaptive, and nonanalytical and can act as a barrier to critical thinking is called _____.

Method of doubt

This is a method of critical analysis in which one begins with a position of skepticism and questions all ideas.

Cognitive dissonance

This is the frustration people experience when holding two or more competing views.

Stanley Milgram

This is the psychologist who famously tested theories of obedience to authority.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

This well-known social activist was a driving force in the women's suffrage movement.

True

True or False: People tend to think critically concerning issues about which they are knowledgeable.

True

True or false: A person can develop better critical thinking skills through study and practice.

True

True or false: An autonomous person is less likely to be fooled by fallacious reasoning.

True

True or false: Effective critical thinkers are flexible and adaptable.

Experience, interpretation, analysis

What are the three tiers of the critical thinking process?

Making sense of our own experiences as well as other experiences, such as cultural norms and beliefs.

What does the second tier in the critical thinking process involve?

Context and relationships

What factors are important in collaborative learning?

Obedience to authority

What is a likely explanation for the fact that many Nazi soldiers, who did not hate the Jewish people, carried out the final experiment?

Imagination

What is a valuable faculty for creative thinking?

Learning how to think rather than what to think.

What is essential component of critical thinking?

Experience

What is the first tier in the critical thinking process?

Examining the evidence put forth on an issue

What is the point of critical thinking?

Interpretation

What is the second step in the critical thinking process?

Relativism

What is the stage of cognitive development that usually follows dualism?

Analysis

What is the third tier in the critical thinking process?

Struggling

What type of resistance is exhibited when an individual is so caught up in deliberations that he or she can't make a decision?

When it is indignation at injustice?

When is anger not detrimental to critical thinking?

Times of conflict

When is dualism most evident?

When it is habitual

When is resistance most detrimental?

Critical thinking

When making life decisions, it is important to engage in _____.

Conformity

When people tolerate bigotry because they are afraid to speak out against the group, what type of resistance is this?

Commitment

When students have reached the stage of _____, they are able to make decisions and adhere to particular positions on issues.

First Amendment - Freedom of Speech

Which Amendment to the Constitution is essential for critical thinking?

Beginner's mind

Which Buddhist concept is related to critical thinking?

Stanley Milgram

Which famed psychologist performed the obedience to authority tests involving a system of electric shocks.

The Third Reich

Which group is not an example of individuals who successfully challenged long-standing traditions?

Listening, speaking, and writing

Which of the following are important communications skills?

Depression, rage, and low-esteem

Which of the following can result from poor critical thinking skills?

Uninformed opinions

Which of the following is a leading cause of poor decision making?

Adhering to traditions

Which of the following is not a quality of creativity?

Authority and power

Which phenomena did Philip Zimbardo's prison experiment test?

Egocentric

Which type of people resist information and evidence that are at odds with what they believe?

Method of belief

With this method of critical analysis, one accepts ideas for the sake of the argument and suspends disbelief.

Cognitive development

_____ _____ is the process by which people acquire intelligence and advance in problem-solving skills.

Most

_____ individuals can benefit from the critiques and comments of others or even their own critiques.

Critical thinking

_____ is a collection of skills we use everyday that are necessary for our full intellectual and personal development.