Critical Thinking in Psychology Exam 1 Flashcards

Study Notes

Critical Thinking Concepts

Critical Thinking: An intellectually disciplined process involving conceptualizing, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information, characterized by clarity, rationality, open-mindedness, and evidence-based arguments.
Elements: Involves intellectual processes that are disciplined, active, and skillful, focusing on the art of informed thinking.

The Process of Critical Thinking

Involves questioning and defining key problems, gathering relevant information, and drawing well-reasoned conclusions tested against criteria and evidence.

Fallacies in Reasoning

Fallacy: Incorrect conclusions based on faulty reasoning or evidence, undermining logical arguments.
Argument from Ignorance: Asserts a claim must be true if it cannot be proven false; relies on a lack of disconfirming evidence.
Shifting the Burden of Proof: Attempts to place the responsibility of proof onto another party rather than providing evidence oneself.
Non Sequitur: A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises or evidence presented.
Slippery Slope: Suggests that a minor action will inevitably lead to severe consequences without evidence for such progression.
Tu Quoque: Dismisses an argument by pointing out the speaker’s failure to act according to their claims.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: Misinterprets chronology as causation; assumes that if one event follows another, the first must have caused the latter.
False Binary Opposition: Presents an issue as an either-or dilemma, ignoring the existence of other alternatives.

Misrepresentation in Arguments

Straw Person: Simplifies and distorts another's position to make it easier to attack.
Ad Hominem: Critiques the character of the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.

Basis of Beliefs and Knowledge

Tenacity: Acceptance of information as true based on tradition or superstition; resistant to change despite contradictory evidence.
Intuition: Aligns with beliefs based on hunches or gut feelings, lacking a method for verification of accuracy.
Authority: Relies on expert opinions but risks accepting flawed information without critical assessment; not all authority figures are credible.
Rational Method: Employs logical reasoning for answers but is contingent on the validity of the initial premises.

Description

Test your knowledge on critical thinking concepts in psychology with these flashcards. Understand the definition of critical thinking and its essential elements. Perfect for exam preparation or enhancing your understanding of psychological principles.