Critical Thinking Modules 3 & 4

In strategic thinking, recognizing when your thinking is irrational or flawed is which component? a) Identification b) Intellectual action c) Weak-sense thinking d) Strong-sense thinking

a) Identification Feedback: The correct answer is A. Identification is recognizing when your thinking is irrational or flawed.

Which of the following statements about Uncritical Persons (as defined by Paul and Elder) is false? a) They are skilled in manipulation. b) They have socially conditioned beliefs. c) They see themselves as "good" and opponents as "evil." d) They are prone to emotional counter-attacks when their thinking is questioned.

a) They are skilled in manipulation. Feedback: The correct answer is A. Paul and Elder argue that Skilled Manipulators, not Uncritical Persons, know how to manipulate.

Dismissing an argument by attacking the person who offers it rather than by refuting its reasoning is an example of: a) ad hominem fallacy b) appeal to authority c) appeal to popularity d) red herring

a) ad hominem fallacy

Dismissing an argument by attacking the person who offers it rather than by refuting its reasoning is an example of: a) ad hominem fallacy b) appeal to authority c) appeal to popularity d) red herring

a) ad hominem fallacy Feedback: The correct answer is A. This is an example of an ad hominem fallacy, where the person is attacked, not the reasoning.

A scientist discovered that all laboratory hamsters that had been eating lettuce developed Salmonella poisoning. This is an example of causation by: a) common factor b) single difference c) concomitant variation d) process of elimination

a) common factor Feedback: The correct answer is A. This is an example of causation by a shared common factor.

Actively using information that is false, although we mistakenly think it is true, is an example of: a) Inert Information b) Activated Ignorance c) Activated Knowledge d) Critical thinking

b) Activated Ignorance Feedback: The correct answer is B. This is an example of activated ignorance.

In strategic thinking, engaging and challenging your own thinking is which component? a) Identification b) Intellectual action c) Weak-sense thinking d) Strong-sense thinking

b) Intellectual action Feedback: The correct answer is B. Intellectual action is engaging and challenging your own thinking.

An unsupported claim is what critical thinking experts refer to as a(n): a) Preliminary conclusion b) Opinion c) Deductive assertion d) Inference

b) Opinion Feedback: The correct answer is B. Critical thinking experts refer to an unsupported claim as a mere opinion.

Of the five key factors Jefferson Flanders identifies in evaluating research, which one best addresses tracing the origins of the information? a) Authority b) Transparency c) Point-of-view d) Accuracy

b) Transparency Feedback: The correct answer is B. Transparency is a key factor in tracing the origins of information.

Citing majority sentiment or popular opinion as the reason for supporting a claim is an example of: a) appeal to authority b) appeal to popularity c) hasty generalization d) slippery slope

b) appeal to popularity Feedback: The correct answer is B. It is an appeal to popularity.

"Is basketball or ice hockey more fun to watch?" is a: a) question of fact b) question of preference c) question of judgment d) question at issue

b) question of preference Feedback: The correct answer is B. This is a question of preference, since it is asking for a subjective choice.

In analyzing causation, looking for a causal factor that is present in one situation but absent in another, similar, situation is called the: a) common factor method b) single difference method c) concomitant variation method d) process of elimination method

b) single difference method Feedback: The correct answer is B. Looking for a causal factor that is present in one situation but absent in another, similar, situation is called the single difference method.

In constructing questions of judgment, which of the following is NOT part of the process? a) Developing questions that could be answered differently by people with different view points b) Developing questions that require reasoned judgment to answer c) Developing questions that have only one answer d) Developing questions that have competing answers

c) Developing questions that have only one answer Feedback: The correct answer is C. Questions that have only one answer are questions of fact, not questions of judgment.

To analyze the logic of an article, one can apply: a) thinking, feeling, and desiring b) questions of preference c) Elements of Reasoning d) questions of fact

c) Elements of Reasoning Feedback: The correct answer is C. To analyze the logic of an article, one can apply the Elements of Reasoning.

These questions have more than one answer, with some answers better than others. a) Questions of fact b) Questions of preference c) Questions of judgment d) Weak-sense questions

c) Questions of judgment Feedback: The correct answer is C. Questions of judgment have competing answers, with some better than others.

The implicit beliefs that support our explicit reasoning about something are: a) inferences b) implications c) assumptions d) reasons

c) assumptions Feedback: The correct answer is C. Assumptions are the implicit beliefs that support our explicit reasoning.

"Reasoning can only be as sound as the ________________ it is based on." a) hypothesis b) inferences c) information d) conclusions

c) information Feedback: The correct answer is C. "Reasoning can only be as sound as the information it is based on."

Which of the following statements falsely represents Paul and Elder's views of the news media? a) It is vital that citizens recognize bias, slanting, and propaganda in news coverage. b) The major media fosters sociocentric thinking. c) There is a bias towards reporting what is novel, strange, or sensational. d) Events can be viewed and interpreted from one objective point-of-view.

d) Events can be viewed and interpreted from one objective point-of-view. Feedback: The correct answer is D. Paul and Elder argue for employing multiple points of view in looking at events.

Paul and Elder's "Dimensions of Decision-Making" suggest all of the following steps, except: a) Figure out the information you need and seek it. b) Consider pros and cons of options. c) Be strategic in your decision-making. d) Merge problems and decisions into a comprehensive decision whenever possible.

d) Merge problems and decisions into a comprehensive decision whenever possible. Feedback: The correct answer is D. Paul and Elder counsel that you take problems and decisions one-by-one, not merging them together.

A mechanic ruled out failures in 10 different engine parts before finding the problem in the carburetor. This is an example of: a) common factor method b) single difference method c) concomitant variation d) process of elimination

d) process of elimination Feedback: The correct answer is D. The mechanic is using the process of elimination.

A common problem with applying the critical thinking standard of clarity to information is: a) the information isn't accurate b) the information is irrelevant c) the information is inadequate d) the information isn't clear

d) the information isn't clear Feedback: The correct answer is D. A common problem with the clarity standard is unclear information.