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Questions and Answers
What are cognitive biases primarily characterized by?
What are cognitive biases primarily characterized by?
Which of the following best describes a logical fallacy?
Which of the following best describes a logical fallacy?
Why is it important to understand cognitive biases and logical fallacies in psychology?
Why is it important to understand cognitive biases and logical fallacies in psychology?
What distinguishes a logical fallacy from a factual error?
What distinguishes a logical fallacy from a factual error?
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What type of fallacies occur when the premises are not relevant to the conclusion?
What type of fallacies occur when the premises are not relevant to the conclusion?
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Which statement accurately defines a structural fallacy?
Which statement accurately defines a structural fallacy?
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Which example illustrates a logical fallacy?
Which example illustrates a logical fallacy?
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What does a violation of the Principle of Rational Discussion typically involve?
What does a violation of the Principle of Rational Discussion typically involve?
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What characterizes Circular Reasoning?
What characterizes Circular Reasoning?
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How does an Appeal to Authority function in arguments?
How does an Appeal to Authority function in arguments?
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Which type of reasoning utilizes emotions for persuasion?
Which type of reasoning utilizes emotions for persuasion?
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What does an Appeal to Ignorance assert?
What does an Appeal to Ignorance assert?
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Which of the following is an example of an Appeal to Emotions?
Which of the following is an example of an Appeal to Emotions?
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In what way can Circular Reasoning be identified?
In what way can Circular Reasoning be identified?
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What is a common misuse of authority in arguments?
What is a common misuse of authority in arguments?
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Which statement best reflects the Appeal to Ignorance fallacy?
Which statement best reflects the Appeal to Ignorance fallacy?
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What is the main characteristic of the appeal to ignorance fallacy?
What is the main characteristic of the appeal to ignorance fallacy?
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What does the false alternatives fallacy imply about the choices presented?
What does the false alternatives fallacy imply about the choices presented?
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What is a slippery slope argument often based on?
What is a slippery slope argument often based on?
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How is a straw man argument generally presented?
How is a straw man argument generally presented?
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What does the bandwagon fallacy appeal to when justifying a claim?
What does the bandwagon fallacy appeal to when justifying a claim?
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Which example best illustrates a slippery slope argument?
Which example best illustrates a slippery slope argument?
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What is the purpose of a straw man argument in a debate?
What is the purpose of a straw man argument in a debate?
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Why might the appeal to ignorance be considered a fallacy?
Why might the appeal to ignorance be considered a fallacy?
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What is the primary function of heuristics in decision-making?
What is the primary function of heuristics in decision-making?
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Which cognitive bias leads individuals to rely on the most readily available information when making decisions?
Which cognitive bias leads individuals to rely on the most readily available information when making decisions?
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What does anchoring bias primarily affect in decision-making?
What does anchoring bias primarily affect in decision-making?
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How does confirmation bias influence information processing?
How does confirmation bias influence information processing?
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In which scenario might availability bias significantly affect a person's perception?
In which scenario might availability bias significantly affect a person's perception?
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Which cognitive bias might lead someone to only read news articles that support their political beliefs?
Which cognitive bias might lead someone to only read news articles that support their political beliefs?
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What common issue arises due to cognitive biases in our digital world?
What common issue arises due to cognitive biases in our digital world?
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What is the framing effect in relation to cognitive biases?
What is the framing effect in relation to cognitive biases?
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What does in-group bias refer to?
What does in-group bias refer to?
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What is the impact of the framing effect on perception?
What is the impact of the framing effect on perception?
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How does media bias contribute to public perception?
How does media bias contribute to public perception?
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What is a consequence of AI bias?
What is a consequence of AI bias?
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What influence does selective reporting have on public beliefs?
What influence does selective reporting have on public beliefs?
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Which of the following illustrates outgroup bias?
Which of the following illustrates outgroup bias?
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Why might people overestimate their risk of cancer?
Why might people overestimate their risk of cancer?
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What are the two types of thinking referred to in the content?
What are the two types of thinking referred to in the content?
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What does Ad Hominem refer to in fallacious reasoning?
What does Ad Hominem refer to in fallacious reasoning?
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Which scenario illustrates a Post Hoc fallacy?
Which scenario illustrates a Post Hoc fallacy?
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What defines a Hasty Generalization in reasoning?
What defines a Hasty Generalization in reasoning?
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What common mistake is represented by the phrase 'my friend failed his exam because he drank energy drinks'?
What common mistake is represented by the phrase 'my friend failed his exam because he drank energy drinks'?
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Which fallacy involves assuming an argument is valid based on who presents it?
Which fallacy involves assuming an argument is valid based on who presents it?
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Which of the following statements is an example of Hasty Generalization?
Which of the following statements is an example of Hasty Generalization?
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Study Notes
Critical Thinking in Psychology
- The course PSY 179 covers critical thinking in psychology, focusing on logical fallacies and cognitive biases.
- Today's topics include common logical fallacies in reasoning and cognitive biases and their impact on thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Biases and Logical Fallacies
- Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, influencing decisions and perception.
- Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the argument's logic, often persuasive but misleading.
- Understanding these concepts is important in psychology for developing critical thinking and avoiding errors in judgment.
- Fallacy is an argument that contains a mistake in reasoning, not the same as a factual error. Fallacies can be structural, content-based, or violate the Principle of Rational Discussion.
Fallacies of Relevance and Insufficient Evidence
- Fallacies of relevance are mistakes in reasoning where premises are logically irrelevant to the conclusion.
- Fallacies of insufficient evidence are mistakes where premises are logically relevant but don't provide sufficient evidence to support the conclusion.
Personal Attack (Ad Hominem)
- Ad Hominem attacks the person instead of the argument.
- Literally means "against the person", it's similar to name-calling.
Post Hoc (Cause and Effect)
- Post Hoc fallacy attributes a cause-and-effect relationship without adequate evidence. It's similar to hasty generalization.
- Example: A person's car broke down after a friend borrowed it, falsely concluding the friend caused the problem.
Hasty Generalization
- Hasty generalization makes sweeping statements based on insufficient or biased evidence.
- Example: A person hires three business students who are lazy and concludes that all business students are lazy.
Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question)
- Circular reasoning supports a statement by repeating it in different words.
- Example: My mother is always busy because she has too much to do.
Appeal to Authority
- Appeal to authority uses celebrities or experts to support a claim, but their opinion doesn't necessarily make it true.
- Example: A celebrity endorsing a product, a doctor recommending a healthcare product.
Appeal to Emotions
- Appeal to emotions persuades by using negative or positive emotions, rather than evidence.
- Example: Politicians' speech using emotionally charged language to sway voters.
Appeal to Ignorance
- Appeal to ignorance asserts a claim is true because no one has proved it false, or vice-versa.
- Example: "There must be intelligent life on other planets, no one has proven that there isn't".
Fallacy of False Alternatives (False Dilemma)
- Presents only two options when more exist, creating a false dilemma.
- Example: "Either we elect a Republican as president, or crime rates will skyrocket."
Slippery Slope
- Claims a seemingly harmless action will lead to a disastrous outcome without sufficient evidence.
Straw Man
- Misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to dismiss.
- Example: Distorting someone's viewpoint to make it appear illogical.
Bandwagon (Appeal to Popularity)
- Argues a claim is true because many people believe it, or vice versa.
- Example: "Everyone else is doing it."
Cognitive Biases
- Mental shortcuts (heuristics) that simplify complex situations but can lead to errors like cognitive biases.
- Examples include: Availability, Anchoring, Confirmation, In-group bias, Framing, Media bias, and AI bias
Common Cognitive Biases
- Availability: Relying on readily available information to make judgements. Example: Fear of sharks because of numerous reports in the news.
- Anchoring: Over-emphasizing first pieces of information presented to make decisions. Example: First price of an item influences perceived value
- Confirmation: Favoring information that confirms pre-existing beliefs.
- In-group bias: Favoring one's own group
- Framing: How information is presented affecting perception. Example: 20% fat vs. 80% fat-free.
- Media Bias: Media coverage can exaggerate or selectively cover information.
- AI bias: AI systems can reflect underlying human biases.
How to Avoid Biases
- Remain open-minded, actively listen and build awareness to avoid biases.
- System 1 thinking (intuitive) versus System 2 thinking (rational). Promote system 2 thinking (e.g., critical analysis).
- Recognize that biases exist in psychology science as well, including in researchers, interviewers and processes used.
- Sampling bias, interviewer bias, research bias.
Summary & Key Takeaways
- The abundance of information online can heighten vulnerability to cognitive biases like availability, confirmation, and framing.
- Employing critical thinking principles helps recognize and counter these biases.
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts of critical thinking in psychology, focusing on logical fallacies and cognitive biases. You will learn about common reasoning errors and the impact of biases on decision-making. Understanding these elements is essential for developing better judgment skills.
