Psychology Chapter 9: Errors of Perspective
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Psychology Chapter 9: Errors of Perspective

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'poverty of aspect' refer to?

The limitation that comes from taking a narrow rather than a broad view on problems and issues.

Poverty of aspect solely affects individuals with highly specialized educations.

False

Which of the following is NOT considered an unwarranted assumption?

  • Assuming that the majority view is the correct view
  • Assuming your watch is working (correct)
  • Assuming that if one event follows another, it must be caused by the other
  • Assuming all events have a single cause

    • The ________ outlook is the expectation that the only reasonable view of any issue is either total affirmation or total rejection.

    <p>either/or</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'mindless conformity'?

    <p>Behaving as others do without critical thought, often due to laziness or fear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Absolutists are open to changing their views when presented with new evidence.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group might exemplify mindless conformity?

    <p>Political parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What usually happens to a young honor student who reports a forgotten knife due to zero weapons policy?

    <p>He may be suspended or expelled.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common consequence of poverty of aspect?

    <p>Specialized focusing on limited viewpoints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of the availability of law books in prison libraries?

    <p>Encourages prisoners to file frivolous lawsuits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do some argue that the presidency should be changed from a one-person office to a three-member board?

    <p>The duties of the president are too numerous and complex for one individual to fulfill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been blamed for the increase in obesity rates?

    <p>Calorie-rich fast food, advertisements promoting excessive eating, sedentary lifestyles, and a culture of self-indulgence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some errors in perspective that can affect critical thinking?

    <p>Biased consideration of evidence, double standards, hasty conclusions, and overgeneralization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can biased consideration of evidence manifest in reasoning?

    <p>By seeking only evidence that confirms one's bias or choosing interpretations that favor it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a double standard?

    <p>Using a different standard of judgment for our ideas compared to those we disagree with.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does hasty conclusion refer to?

    <p>A premature judgment made without sufficient evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between overgeneralization and stereotyping?

    <p>Overgeneralization is drawing broad conclusions about all members of a group, while stereotyping is a fixed and resistant overgeneralization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is oversimplification?

    <p>A distortion of complex ideas that misleads rather than informs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Can you believe in absolutes without being an absolutist?

    <p>Yes, for example, believing that murder is always morally wrong but recognizing exceptions like self-defense.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Relativism allows for absolute truth.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central error of relativism?

    <p>Belief that truth is created rather than discovered</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relativist's credo?

    <p>If a person thinks any behavior is morally acceptable, then it is acceptable for that person.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Relativism supports critical thinking and ethics.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a reason for bias against change?

    <p>Fear of the unknown</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does monitoring your reaction to new ideas help overcome?

    <p>Bias toward or against change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of conformity on Bert's behavior?

    <p>Bert goes along with his friends' cruel behavior despite knowing it is wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which situation illustrates a positive outcome from conformity?

    <p>None of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should you do after examining a new idea?

    <p>Suspend judgment until you have examined the idea carefully.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Relativism opposes __________ thinking.

    <p>critical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a reason against bias for change?

    <p>Not all changes are beneficial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what scenario is the conformity of Alex depicted as negative?

    <p>Voting with a powerful lobbyist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'post hoc' mean?

    <p>After this, therefore because of this</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Oversimplification always ignores multiple sides of an issue.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can result from oversimplification in discussions?

    <p>Distorted understanding of issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of the post hoc fallacy?

    <p>Assuming a low grade is due to being late to class without other evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of discrimination claims, what is one viewpoint discussed?

    <p>Some believe all claims should be taken seriously, others argue that only genuine claims should be considered.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The principle of ____ states that no statement can be both true and false at the same time.

    <p>contradiction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of oversimplification?

    <p>All of the above.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one response of the U.S. Hang Gliders Association regarding regulations?

    <p>The government has no business regulating outdoor recreational sports.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What dilemma does Jean face relating to her congressional representative's vote?

    <p>She believes he has violated the people's trust by opposing a popular highway proposal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Errors of Perspective

    • Errors of perspective affect critical thinking and are metaphorically similar to wearing distorted eyeglasses.
    • Recognizing these errors is crucial for improving understanding and removing biases in thought.

    Poverty of Aspect

    • Defined by Karl Duncker as the limitation of perspective due to a narrow view on issues; commonly known as tunnel vision.
    • Increased specialization in academic disciplines has deepened understanding but also cut off insights from other fields.
    • Understanding complex issues, such as the causes of war, requires integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines (psychology, sociology, economics).

    Unwarranted Assumptions

    • Assumptions are often accepted without conscious thinking and can lead to dangerous conclusions if taken too far.
    • Examples of unwarranted assumptions include:
      • Trusting sensory perceptions without questioning them.
      • Believing widely reported ideas are true without critical evaluation.
      • The perspective that familiar ideas are more valid than unfamiliar ones.
    • It is important to identify and evaluate hidden assumptions in speech and writing.

    Either/Or Outlook

    • The either/or mindset limits perspectives to absolute choices, ignoring potential middle grounds.
    • Recognizes the complexity of issues where multiple viewpoints can coexist and be equally valid.
    • Encourages the examination of issues with a broader lens, rather than binary thinking.

    Mindless Conformity

    • Conformity can be beneficial, but mindless conformity leads to uncritical acceptance of group norms.
    • Experiments have shown that individuals often yield to group pressure even against their better judgment.
    • To resist mindless conformity, individuals must engage in independent critical thinking.

    Absolutism

    • Absolutism is characterized by strict adherence to rules with no exceptions and a black-and-white view of truth.
    • Absolutists may oversimplify complex issues, resulting in dogmatic beliefs that refuse to entertain alternative evidence.
    • Overcoming absolutism involves accepting the complexities and ambiguities inherent in many issues.

    Relativism

    • Relativism asserts that truth is subjective and differs from person to person, opposing the idea of universal truths.
    • This viewpoint undermines critical thinking and moral standards, as it challenges the objective basis for ethical discussions.
    • The challenge of relativism is determining a consistent framework for evaluating truth and morality.### Relativism and Moral Standards
    • Relativists struggle to challenge others' views without contradiction, particularly regarding moral issues.
    • Moral subjectivity complicates the condemnation of practices like genital mutilation, genocide, slave labor, and racism.
    • Acknowledgment of some ideas as superior is necessary to combat relativism and promote critical thinking.

    Bias Toward Change

    • Opinions on change vary and depend heavily on the nature of the change itself.
    • A common bias favors change due to rapid technological advancements but can lead to an unrealistic belief that all change is beneficial.
    • Bias against change persists, often rooted in comfort with traditional ideas and fear of the unknown.
    • Historical examples illustrate resistance to change, such as Galileo's heliocentric theory or early perceptions of bicycles.

    Tradition and Untested Rules

    • Many adhere to outdated traditions without questioning their validity, reinforcing outdated beliefs.
    • Personal anecdotes show how unexamined traditions can be passed down unnecessarily, diminishing curiosity and critical questioning.

    Acceptance of New Ideas

    • New ideas often face resistance, but acceptance can lead to forgetfulness about prior opposition.
    • Freud’s theories, initially ridiculed, faced backlash even from those who later accepted them, showing hypocrisy in accepting new ideas.

    Critical Self-Examination

    • Monitoring reactions to new ideas is essential; initial biases should not influence final judgments.
    • Encourages thorough examination before accepting or rejecting ideas, regardless of their recency.

    Errors in Perspective

    • Individuals often exhibit absolutism versus relativism in their views on politics, religion, and social issues.
    • Recognizing personal tendencies toward bias is crucial for improved critical thinking.

    Conformity and its Implications

    • Conformity can lead to both positive and negative outcomes depending on the context.
    • Desirable conformity can promote social cohesion, while undesirable conformity can foster harmful behaviors or perpetuate injustice.

    Influence of Advertising

    • Advertising leverages conformity to influence consumer behavior, often promoting the idea that acceptance of certain products or lifestyles is necessary for social integration.

    Discussion of Obesity Causes

    • The rise in obesity is attributed to various factors, including fast food availability, advertising, and decreased physical activity among youth.
    • Exploring multiple perspectives on obesity leads to a better understanding of its complex causes.

    Errors of Procedure in Critical Thinking

    • Common errors include biased evidence consideration, double standards, hasty conclusions, and oversimplifications.
    • These errors reveal how personal biases can distort reasoning and lead to flawed judgments.### Bias and Opposing Viewpoints
    • Bias can hinder the assessment of key issues; strong beliefs about poverty and discrimination can prevent consideration of alternative viewpoints.
    • Authors, including Larry Elder, provide arguments against the idea that poverty is the sole cause of social issues like crime and academic performance.
    • Elder cites 1960s Chinatown, low in income yet had minimal incarceration rates, and Barbados schools with lower budgets but superior student SAT scores compared to U.S. inner cities.
    • John McWhorter identifies issues in the Black community stemming from a victim mentality, anti-intellectualism, and exemption from societal standards.

    Leadership and Dependency

    • Jesse Lee Peterson criticizes Black leaders for promoting dependency on government support, alleging that they foster a notion of entitlement through welfare and affirmative action.
    • Shelby Steele argues that the Civil Rights movement’s essence has been compromised by dependency-creating programs supported by both Black and White communities.
    • Juan Williams highlights Bill Cosby’s call for personal responsibility among African Americans regarding education and parenting.

    Importance of Comprehensive Analysis

    • Ignoring contributions from diverse viewpoints can lead to an unbalanced understanding of social issues.
    • It's essential to analyze authors for potential biases to ensure fair evaluations.

    Double Standards in Judgment

    • The double standard involves inconsistent judgment criteria for similar ideas based on alignment with personal beliefs, leading to unfair evaluations of differing arguments.
    • Notable instances include semantic differences in describing the behaviors of allies versus opponents.

    Hasty Conclusions

    • Premature judgments can arise from insufficient evidence; it is crucial to consider multiple interpretations before settling on one.
    • Historical example: World War I intelligence tests led to erroneous assumptions about racial intelligence and the framing of discriminatory laws based on flawed conclusions.

    Overgeneralization and Stereotyping

    • Overgeneralization leads to incorrect assumptions about groups based on limited experiences; stereotypes are rigid and often negative.
    • Examples include sweeping statements about individuals based on encounters or characteristics without recognizing variances within groups.
    • Acknowledging cultural patterns is necessary for understanding but should avoid blanket statements that stereotype.

    Oversimplification of Complex Issues

    • Simplification is necessary for communication but oversimplification distorts ideas and can mislead understanding.
    • Examples illustrate how oversimplified statements can ignore complexities of causes and effects in educational failure and self-awareness.

    Post Hoc Fallacy

    • The post hoc fallacy mistakes sequential events for causation, failing to consider coincidences or alternative explanations.
    • Individuals are encouraged to withhold judgment regarding cause-and-effect assumptions until all possible explanations are thoroughly evaluated.

    Application of Concepts

    • Criticism of Ebonics reflects bias and misunderstanding of cultural communication, reinforcing the need for critical analysis of language-related claims.
    • Rediscovery of the true meaning of concepts (like Christmas) amidst commercialization showcases the necessity for deeper inquiry beyond surface-level observations.

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    Description

    Explore how distorted perceptions shape our understanding of the world in Psychology Chapter 9. This quiz delves into the concept of perspective errors and how they affect our interactions and beliefs. Challenge your insights and discover the nuances of perception through intriguing questions.

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