thinking critically chapter 4

factual statement

"The Great Wall of China is more than 1,500 miles long" is an example of a _______________ _______________.

senses

At almost every waking moment of your life, your ____ are being bombarded by a tremendous number of stimuli: images to see, noises to hear, odors to smell, textures to feel, and flavors to taste.

perceiving

At the most basic level, the concept of ________________ refers to the selection, organization, and interpretation of sensations.

factual reports

Because __________ _____________ play such an important role in our exchange and accumulation of information about the world, it is important that they be as accurate and complete as possible.

observations

Besides difficulties with ____, the "facts" that you see in the world actually depend on more general beliefs that you have about how the world operates.

stereotypic perceptions

Consider the following statements: "Women are very emotional"; "Men are thoughtless and insensitive"; "Teenagers are wild and irresponsible." These are all examples of

inferring

Describing the world in ways that are based on factual information, yet going beyond this information to make statements about what is not currently known, is referred to as _____________________.

judging

Describing the world in ways that express an evaluation based on certain criteria is referred to as ___________________.

judgments

In addition to factual reports, your descriptions of the world may contain inferences based on factual information. Facts and inferences are designed to help you figure out what is actually happening; the purpose of ________________ is to express your evaluation about what is happening.

filter to select and shape reality

In the text, the author describes how different people have differing interpretations of external stimuli by using contact lenses to represent how each of us perceives differently. The contact lenses act as a

Beliefs

Interpretations, evaluations, conclusions, or predictions about the world that we endorse as true are called what?

beliefs

Interpretations, evaluations, conclusions, or predictions about the world that we endorse as true are known as ________________.

human camera

It is tempting to think that you are like ____ a taking in everything around you. However, you are, in fact, an active participant who is always trying to understand the sensations you are encountering.

Examining and evaluating your perceptions.

Keeping in mind that your perceptions color your interpretations of everything that occurs around you, it is important to recognize the influence of your perceptions. For that reason, you must clarify and validate your perceptions by doing what?

selecting, organizing, and interpreting

Perception is not just interpretation of visual stimuli; it also encompasses sensory interpretations. When you actively perceive the sensations you are experiencing, you are engaging in three distinct activities:

inferences

Predictions and expectations are also _____________ because you attempt to determine what is currently unknown from what is already known.

judgment

The credibility of a _______________ depends on the criteria used to make the __________________ and the evidence or reasons that support these criteria. (Hint: the same term goes in both blanks)

actively selecting, organizing and interpreting sensations.

The definition of perceiving is _____.

an active participant

The way you feel—your mood or emotional state—can affect the perceptions you select to use. This means that you are

beliefs

Thinking critically about your perceptions results in the formulation of your _____________ and ultimately in the construction of your knowledge about the world.

Inferring

What do we call the process by which we describe the world in ways that are based on factual information yet go beyond this information to make statements about what is currently known?

Judging

What do we call the process by which we describe the world in ways that express an evaluation based on certain criteria?

Predicting

When we go shopping, we focus on the items we are looking for. Walking down the street, we tend to notice certain kinds of people or events while completely ignoring others. The reason for this is because we are constantly taking in information; which we call perception. Which of the following is not an element of perception?

Basic and complex

You are continually trying to interpret what you perceive, whether it's a design, someone's behavior, or an object in your hand. What are the two levels of perceiving?

perceptions

Your _________________ form the foundation of many of your beliefs about the world.

past experiences

Your perceptions of the world are dramatically influenced by your ______________.

experiences

Your ways of viewing the world are developed over a long period of time through the ____________________ you have and how you interpret your life.

Beliefs

______________ are the main tools you use to make sense of the world and guide your actions.

Interpretations, evaluations, conclusions or predictions

about the world that we endorse as true are referred to as beliefs.

The credibility of a judgment

depends on the criteria used to make the judgment and the evidence or reasons that support the criteria.