Deck 6: Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources

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Question
When presented with a claim, Earl tends to ask a lot of probing questions about the basis for the claim. One could say that Earl displays __________.
(a) unwarranted expertise
(b) mistrust of authority
(c) a healthy sense of skepticism
(d) a conflict of interests
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Question
Glenn goes on a job interview and is asked "How are your critical thinking and communication skills?" Glenn answers "Excellent." Should the interviewer trust Glenn's answer?
(a) Yes, Glenn is very confident in his skills.
(b) Yes, if Glenn had weak or moderate skills he would have said so.
(c) No, people will say anything to get a job.
(d) No, Glenn is not an expert on the evaluation of those skills.
Question
When evaluating the plausibility of claims, a strong critical thinker approaches the challenge __________.
(a) authoritatively
(b) cynically
(c) open-mindedly
(d) half-heartedly
Question
When we describe a claim as "self-contradictory" we mean that because of its grammatical construction and the meanings of the words used to express the claim, the claim should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Question
When we describe a claim as "tautology" we mean that because of its grammatical construction and the meanings of the words used to express the claim, the claim should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Question
Charles is a mentally stable individual who has many years of professional experience as a licensed nurse. He reads medical journals and keeps up with the latest healthcare practice recommendations. Charles can always back up the health advice he gives with good reasons and evidence. Knowing this much about Charles, we can regard him as potentially a (an) __________.
(a) untrustworthy charlatan
(b) expert nurse
(c) practicing Christian
(d) liberal reformer
(e) person in charge
Question
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) learned in topic X
(b) majored in X.
(c) experienced in topic X
(d) speaking about X
(e) up-to-date about X
Question
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) acting in accord with the client's interests
(b) unconstrained
(c) informed about the specifics of the case
(d) mentally stable
(e) spokesperson for moneyed interests
Question
The TV commercial claimed that the Dodge brothers over a century ago believed that driving was a holy endeavor. The Dodge brothers started an automobile manufacturing company that eventually merged with others to become part of what we know today as General Motors. The claim the TV commercial makes about the brothers' belief that driving is a holy endeavor should be regarded as __________.
(a) protected by the corporation's right to freedom of religion
(b) true because it would be illegal to make a false claim in a TV commercial
(c) self-contradictory and offensive to non-believers
(d) figurative marketing not intended to be taken literally
(e) a factual claim that proves that the cars their company manufactures today are high quality vehicles
Question
Todd, who graduated with a degree in History, has prolonged, relevant experience and significant on- the-job training as a real estate agent. You want to buy a condo and so you consider asking Todd to be your agent. This will be the first time you ever bought real estate. Todd agrees to represent you and then shows you three condos in your price range. Although he does not tell you this, Todd owns two of the three himself. In this situation is Todd an expert whom you would be wise to trust to give you advice and information about buying a condo?
(a) Yes, Todd is an experienced real estate agent speaking on topic.
(b) No, Todd majored in History, not Business.
(c) No, Todd may be biased against you as a first time buyer.
(d) No, Todd has a conflict of interest.
Question
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) capable of explaining his or her claims about X
(b) unbiased
(c) truthful
(d) middle aged
(e) free of conflicts of interest
Question
In the weeks leading up to an election the media are filled with campaign ads, some of which are emotionally charged and some of which make highly negative claims about candidates for office or propositions on the ballot. A strong critical thinker would be wise to treat all campaign ads as __________.
(a) true claims provided by trustworthy experts
(b) false and ugly claims made by unethical individuals and organizations
(c) cynical attempts to frighten and mislead the voting public
(d) sincere attempts to fully and accurately inform the voting public
(e) influential manifestations of free speech, which need to be fact-checked
Question
Based on the "Levels of Thinking and Knowing," which of these people is most likely to be trusting of people in positions of authority?
(a) Sue, age 6
(b) Josh, age 15
(c) Markus, age 28
(d) Linda, age 49
Question
How do most experts become learned and experienced with regard to a given topic?
Question
Why do we say "trusted expert" instead of "trusted authority"?
Question
An alternative to trying to confirm that the claim is true, a strong critical thinker may set about trying to.__________.
(a) confirm the claim
(b) disconfirm the claim
(c) ignore the claim
(d) have faith in the claim
(e) suspend judgment
Question
Our healthy sense of skepticism tells us that if we can neither confirm nor disconfirm a claim through independent investigation, then we would be wise to __________.
(a) confirm the claim
(b) disconfirm the claim
(c) ignore the claim
(d) have faith in the claim
(e) suspend judgment
Question
A claim that is consistent with the facts as we know them should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Question
Sheila has an exam tomorrow, but wants to go out with her friends. Her roommate tells her that she probably should plan on getting back before midnight, but the roommate does not give any reasons to support her statement. Should Sheila regard the roommate's advice as trustworthy?
(a) Yes, the roommate has Sheila's best interests in mind.
(b) No, the roommate is not a good student herself.
(c) Yes, the roommate went to the same high school as Sheila.
(d) No, the roommate is not experienced enough to be trustworthy.
Question
Waldo insists that immunization vaccines cause autism, even though he knows that there is no credible scientific evidence to support that claim. This is an example of __________.
(a) a stubborn refusal to abandon a discredited position
(b) a healthy skepticism in the face of conflicting opinions
(c) an authoritative response to a logical problem
(d) a spirited justification of a reasonable claim
Question
Give an example of circumstances in which an expert is constrained not to give what might be his or her best possible advice.
Question
Define tautological claim and give an example.
Question
Thinking about the potential benefits of the process, one reason for using argument and decision mapping is to be able to share with others our analysis of the arguments being made.
Question
Why must "unbiased" and "truthful" be listed as two separate conditions that a person must fulfill in order to be considered trustworthy?
Question
How does cognitive development relate to developing a mature and healthy sense of skepticism?
Question
How does a strong critical thinker approach the difficulties of evaluating claims that use slanted language and emotionally loaded expressions?
Question
What is the connection between the SPLC and a presentation on evaluating the credibility of claims and sources?
Question
How do we connect the critical thinking skill of evaluating the credibility of claims and sources with the significance of marketing, spin, disinformation, and propaganda in our fast moving mass media and social media culture.
Question
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. The first option is to evaluate the _________ of the person or source of the claim.
Question
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. The third option, which is often the best option, is to ________________, seeing if we can lend it some plausibility by confirming it or seeing if we can establish that it is very likely untrue by disconfirming it.
Question
If a person has prolonged, relevant experience, training, or education in topic X, the person should be regarded as a trustworthy expert on X.
Question
Why do strong critical thinkers fact-check the information from online sources like Wikipedia?
Question
What should a strong critical thinker do when faced with a claim that seems plausible, is widely believed, and yet is presented without any basis or reasons given?
Question
Since there is no reliable way of telling that a claim, standing alone, is true or false (except for tautologies and self-contradictory claims), how should a strong critical thinker treat claims standing alone?
Question
Define self-contradictory claim and give an example.
Question
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. One option is to examine the claim itself, interrogating its plausibility by inquiring into the context within which the claim is positioned and the possible _______________ behind the use of the claim.
Question
What does it mean when we say that an expert has a "fiduciary relationship" with a client?
Question
Explain why the best judgment about the plausibility or implausibility of some claims may be to make no judgment at all.
Question
Medical doctor X, a world-renowned physician, is paid by pharmaceutical company to use the drugs it produces in X's practice. The pharmaceutical company pays all of the expenses for Dr. X, and the doctor's family too, to attend medical conferences, which are always held at expensive holiday resorts. The pharmaceutical company arranges for Dr. X to be interviewed on TV and to speak at hospitals and colleges on the benefits of the drugs, which the company produces. And the company pays the doctor to do research on those drugs and it publishes that research when it shows that their drugs are effective. Given this information, should the advice Dr. X might give about which drugs are best to use in a given situation be regarded as trustworthy?
Question
A claim becomes more plausible if we can find confirmatory information or information that is consistent with the claim.
Question
Explain what is meant by saying "money subverts objectivity." Give a real world example, preferably a different example than the one used in the text.
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Deck 6: Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources
1
When presented with a claim, Earl tends to ask a lot of probing questions about the basis for the claim. One could say that Earl displays __________.
(a) unwarranted expertise
(b) mistrust of authority
(c) a healthy sense of skepticism
(d) a conflict of interests
C
2
Glenn goes on a job interview and is asked "How are your critical thinking and communication skills?" Glenn answers "Excellent." Should the interviewer trust Glenn's answer?
(a) Yes, Glenn is very confident in his skills.
(b) Yes, if Glenn had weak or moderate skills he would have said so.
(c) No, people will say anything to get a job.
(d) No, Glenn is not an expert on the evaluation of those skills.
D
3
When evaluating the plausibility of claims, a strong critical thinker approaches the challenge __________.
(a) authoritatively
(b) cynically
(c) open-mindedly
(d) half-heartedly
C
4
When we describe a claim as "self-contradictory" we mean that because of its grammatical construction and the meanings of the words used to express the claim, the claim should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
5
When we describe a claim as "tautology" we mean that because of its grammatical construction and the meanings of the words used to express the claim, the claim should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
6
Charles is a mentally stable individual who has many years of professional experience as a licensed nurse. He reads medical journals and keeps up with the latest healthcare practice recommendations. Charles can always back up the health advice he gives with good reasons and evidence. Knowing this much about Charles, we can regard him as potentially a (an) __________.
(a) untrustworthy charlatan
(b) expert nurse
(c) practicing Christian
(d) liberal reformer
(e) person in charge
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
7
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) learned in topic X
(b) majored in X.
(c) experienced in topic X
(d) speaking about X
(e) up-to-date about X
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
8
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) acting in accord with the client's interests
(b) unconstrained
(c) informed about the specifics of the case
(d) mentally stable
(e) spokesperson for moneyed interests
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
9
The TV commercial claimed that the Dodge brothers over a century ago believed that driving was a holy endeavor. The Dodge brothers started an automobile manufacturing company that eventually merged with others to become part of what we know today as General Motors. The claim the TV commercial makes about the brothers' belief that driving is a holy endeavor should be regarded as __________.
(a) protected by the corporation's right to freedom of religion
(b) true because it would be illegal to make a false claim in a TV commercial
(c) self-contradictory and offensive to non-believers
(d) figurative marketing not intended to be taken literally
(e) a factual claim that proves that the cars their company manufactures today are high quality vehicles
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
10
Todd, who graduated with a degree in History, has prolonged, relevant experience and significant on- the-job training as a real estate agent. You want to buy a condo and so you consider asking Todd to be your agent. This will be the first time you ever bought real estate. Todd agrees to represent you and then shows you three condos in your price range. Although he does not tell you this, Todd owns two of the three himself. In this situation is Todd an expert whom you would be wise to trust to give you advice and information about buying a condo?
(a) Yes, Todd is an experienced real estate agent speaking on topic.
(b) No, Todd majored in History, not Business.
(c) No, Todd may be biased against you as a first time buyer.
(d) No, Todd has a conflict of interest.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
11
Which of the following is not necessarily a characteristic of a trustworthy expert on topic X?
(a) capable of explaining his or her claims about X
(b) unbiased
(c) truthful
(d) middle aged
(e) free of conflicts of interest
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
12
In the weeks leading up to an election the media are filled with campaign ads, some of which are emotionally charged and some of which make highly negative claims about candidates for office or propositions on the ballot. A strong critical thinker would be wise to treat all campaign ads as __________.
(a) true claims provided by trustworthy experts
(b) false and ugly claims made by unethical individuals and organizations
(c) cynical attempts to frighten and mislead the voting public
(d) sincere attempts to fully and accurately inform the voting public
(e) influential manifestations of free speech, which need to be fact-checked
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
13
Based on the "Levels of Thinking and Knowing," which of these people is most likely to be trusting of people in positions of authority?
(a) Sue, age 6
(b) Josh, age 15
(c) Markus, age 28
(d) Linda, age 49
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
14
How do most experts become learned and experienced with regard to a given topic?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
15
Why do we say "trusted expert" instead of "trusted authority"?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
16
An alternative to trying to confirm that the claim is true, a strong critical thinker may set about trying to.__________.
(a) confirm the claim
(b) disconfirm the claim
(c) ignore the claim
(d) have faith in the claim
(e) suspend judgment
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
17
Our healthy sense of skepticism tells us that if we can neither confirm nor disconfirm a claim through independent investigation, then we would be wise to __________.
(a) confirm the claim
(b) disconfirm the claim
(c) ignore the claim
(d) have faith in the claim
(e) suspend judgment
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
18
A claim that is consistent with the facts as we know them should be regarded as __________.
(a) necessarily false
(b) necessarily true
(c) probably true but not necessarily true
(d) probably false but not necessarily false
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
19
Sheila has an exam tomorrow, but wants to go out with her friends. Her roommate tells her that she probably should plan on getting back before midnight, but the roommate does not give any reasons to support her statement. Should Sheila regard the roommate's advice as trustworthy?
(a) Yes, the roommate has Sheila's best interests in mind.
(b) No, the roommate is not a good student herself.
(c) Yes, the roommate went to the same high school as Sheila.
(d) No, the roommate is not experienced enough to be trustworthy.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
20
Waldo insists that immunization vaccines cause autism, even though he knows that there is no credible scientific evidence to support that claim. This is an example of __________.
(a) a stubborn refusal to abandon a discredited position
(b) a healthy skepticism in the face of conflicting opinions
(c) an authoritative response to a logical problem
(d) a spirited justification of a reasonable claim
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
21
Give an example of circumstances in which an expert is constrained not to give what might be his or her best possible advice.
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Unlock Deck
k this deck
22
Define tautological claim and give an example.
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k this deck
23
Thinking about the potential benefits of the process, one reason for using argument and decision mapping is to be able to share with others our analysis of the arguments being made.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
24
Why must "unbiased" and "truthful" be listed as two separate conditions that a person must fulfill in order to be considered trustworthy?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
25
How does cognitive development relate to developing a mature and healthy sense of skepticism?
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Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
26
How does a strong critical thinker approach the difficulties of evaluating claims that use slanted language and emotionally loaded expressions?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
27
What is the connection between the SPLC and a presentation on evaluating the credibility of claims and sources?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
28
How do we connect the critical thinking skill of evaluating the credibility of claims and sources with the significance of marketing, spin, disinformation, and propaganda in our fast moving mass media and social media culture.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
29
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. The first option is to evaluate the _________ of the person or source of the claim.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
30
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. The third option, which is often the best option, is to ________________, seeing if we can lend it some plausibility by confirming it or seeing if we can establish that it is very likely untrue by disconfirming it.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
31
If a person has prolonged, relevant experience, training, or education in topic X, the person should be regarded as a trustworthy expert on X.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
32
Why do strong critical thinkers fact-check the information from online sources like Wikipedia?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
33
What should a strong critical thinker do when faced with a claim that seems plausible, is widely believed, and yet is presented without any basis or reasons given?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
34
Since there is no reliable way of telling that a claim, standing alone, is true or false (except for tautologies and self-contradictory claims), how should a strong critical thinker treat claims standing alone?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
35
Define self-contradictory claim and give an example.
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Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
36
Strong critical thinkers with a healthy sense of skepticism have three options when presented with a claim absent any reasons. One option is to examine the claim itself, interrogating its plausibility by inquiring into the context within which the claim is positioned and the possible _______________ behind the use of the claim.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
37
What does it mean when we say that an expert has a "fiduciary relationship" with a client?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
38
Explain why the best judgment about the plausibility or implausibility of some claims may be to make no judgment at all.
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
39
Medical doctor X, a world-renowned physician, is paid by pharmaceutical company to use the drugs it produces in X's practice. The pharmaceutical company pays all of the expenses for Dr. X, and the doctor's family too, to attend medical conferences, which are always held at expensive holiday resorts. The pharmaceutical company arranges for Dr. X to be interviewed on TV and to speak at hospitals and colleges on the benefits of the drugs, which the company produces. And the company pays the doctor to do research on those drugs and it publishes that research when it shows that their drugs are effective. Given this information, should the advice Dr. X might give about which drugs are best to use in a given situation be regarded as trustworthy?
Unlock Deck
Unlock for access to all 41 flashcards in this deck.
Unlock Deck
k this deck
40
A claim becomes more plausible if we can find confirmatory information or information that is consistent with the claim.
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Unlock Deck
k this deck
41
Explain what is meant by saying "money subverts objectivity." Give a real world example, preferably a different example than the one used in the text.
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Unlock Deck
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