Question 1

A young child believing everything that her kindergarten teacher says to be true is an example of ____.
A) the method of faith
B) the rational method
C) the empirical method
D) the method of intuition

Accepted Answer

The method of faith involves believing in something without questioning or seeking evidence. The child in this scenario is not questioning or seeking evidence for the truthfulness of their kindergarten teacher's statements and is simply accepting them as true based on faith in the authority and knowledge of the teacher.

Question 2

Which method of acquiring knowledge is being used when people make decisions based on instinct or hunches?
A) intuition
B) rationalism
C) tenacity
D) authority

Accepted Answer

When people make decisions based on instinct or hunches, they are relying on their intuition, which is a form of acquiring knowledge. Rationalism involves using reasoning and logic to make decisions, while tenacity refers to stubbornly holding onto a belief despite evidence to the contrary. Authority involves accepting information from a trusted source without questioning it, which is not the case when making decisions based on instinct or hunches. Therefore, the best choice for this question is A) intuition.

Question 3

Which potential problem can occur when the rational method is used?
A) People are not necessarily very good at logical reasoning.
B) It requires hands-on experience, so it can be messy or even dangerous.
C) There is no mechanism for testing the accuracy of the claims.
D) This method requires lengthy and difficult testing.

Accepted Answer

The rational method relies on logical reasoning, and people may not always be adept at applying logic correctly, leading to potential errors in reasoning.

Question 4

A person who buys a lottery ticket because s/he just feels lucky is using the method of ____.
A) empiricism
B) faith
C) tenacity
D) intuition

Accepted Answer

Choosing to buy a lottery ticket based on the feeling of luck is using intuition, which is a way of understanding or knowing something without conscious reasoning or logic. It is an irrational belief or impulse to act on without evidence or rationalization.

Question 5

A limitation of using the method of empiricism is that ____.
A) people are generally not very good at reasoning
B) while perception is typically accurate, sensation is not
C) the process can be time consuming and often risky
D) there is no mechanism for validating conclusions

Accepted Answer

Empiricism involves collecting data through observation and experimentation, which can be a time-consuming and potentially risky process. This can limit its practicality and usefulness in certain situations. While the other options may also pose challenges, they do not necessarily represent inherent limitations of the method of empiricism.

Question 6

Kenji believes that food poisoning causes food aversions, so when he finds out that his friend Brielle hates seafood, he assumes that Brielle must have had food poisoning after eating seafood sometime in her past. Kenji is using the ____.
A) method of empiricism
B) rational method
C) method of tenacity
D) scientific method

Accepted Answer

Kenji is using the rational method, which involves reasoning from a general principle (that food poisoning causes food aversions) to a specific instance (Brielle's aversion to seafood). This method relies on logical reasoning rather than empirical evidence or scientific investigation.

Question 7

Looking up your local weather report online is an example of using the ____.
A) empirical method
B) rational method
C) method of authority
D) scientific method

Accepted Answer

Looking up weather reports online relies on the method of authority, as the information is coming from a trusted source such as a meteorologist or weather organization, rather than being personally observed or tested.

Question 8

An explanation is empirical if it is based on ____.
A) widely held beliefs
B) logical deductions
C) evidence of the senses
D) respect for the source

Accepted Answer

Empirical explanations are based on evidence of the senses, such as observations and experiments. They are grounded in data and observation rather than simply relying on widely held beliefs or logical deductions. Respect for the source is also important, but it is not the defining characteristic of an empirical explanation.

Question 9

A student who believes that his or her performance on tests is influenced by wearing a lucky hat is using the method of ____.
A) empiricism
B) faith
C) tenacity
D) authority

Accepted Answer

The method of tenacity involves holding onto beliefs or superstitions despite a lack of evidence, such as believing in the influence of a lucky hat.

Question 10

What is a potential problem with the method of authority?
A) A person may claim to be an expert when he or she really is not.
B) An "expert" answer may be only a personal, subjective opinion.
C) An expert may be giving answers outside his or her area of expertise.
D) The other three choices are all potential problems.

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are potential problems with the method of authority. A person claiming to be an expert when they are not, or giving subjective opinions can mislead people. An expert answering outside their area of expertise can also lead to incorrect information being given. Therefore, the best choice(s) is D, as all of these issues should be considered when evaluating the credibility of an authority.

Question 11

Using a sports star to sell clothing in a television commercial relies upon which nonscientific method of acquiring knowledge?
A) the method of tenacity
B) the method of authority
C) the empirical method
D) the rational method

Accepted Answer

The method of authority relies on accepting information based on the opinion or endorsement of an authoritative figure, such as a sports star.

Question 12

Which method of acquiring knowledge is being used by students who are learning from teachers and textbooks?
A) empiricism
B) rationalism
C) method of authority
D) scientific method

Accepted Answer

The method of authority involves learning from an expert or trusted source such as a teacher or textbook. This is the most common method used by students in traditional educational settings.

Question 13

Marisol just found out she is pregnant and tells everyone that she has a feeling she will have a girl.  In this case, Marisol is using the ____.
A) method of authority
B) rational method
C) empirical method
D) method of intuition

Accepted Answer

Marisol is using her intuition or a "gut feeling" to predict the sex of her unborn child. This is not based on any logical or empirical evidence, so it is not the rational or empirical method, and she is not relying on any authoritative source.

Question 14

When your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your heart, the doctor is gathering information by using the ____.
A) method of authority
B) rational method
C) empirical method
D) method of intuition

Accepted Answer

The empirical method involves using direct observation and experience to gather information and make conclusions. When a doctor listens to someone's heart with a stethoscope, they are using their senses and experience to gather information about the patient's heart rate, rhythm, and any abnormalities. This is an example of the empirical method in action.

Question 15

When you "know" that you do not want to eat chocolate-covered crickets, even when everyone around you says that they taste great, your decision is based on the method of ____.
A) empiricism
B) faith
C) tenacity
D) authority

Accepted Answer

Tenacity refers to holding onto beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence or opinions, which aligns with the scenario of maintaining a decision despite others' opinions.

Question 16

Last year Tomas and his friend Jamie were both too short to ride the rollercoaster. Jamie went to the park this year and was tall enough to ride. Because Tomas is taller than Jamie, he thinks that he will be able to ride the rollercoaster as well. Tomas is using the ____ to answer his question.
A) method of empiricism
B) rational method
C) method of authority
D) scientific method

Accepted Answer

Tomas is using a form of logical reasoning to assume that if Jamie, who was previously too short, is now tall enough to ride the rollercoaster, then he, who is taller than Jamie, should also be tall enough to ride. This is an example of the rational method. The other options, such as the method of empiricism (based on observation and experience) or the scientific method (testing hypotheses through experimentation), do not apply in this situation. The method of authority, which relies on the authority of others to make decisions, is also not applicable here.

Question 17

An artist tries putting a freshly painted canvas outside during a rainstorm to see how the painting will change from the pattern of the raindrops. Which method of acquiring knowledge is she using?
A) method of empiricism
B) rational method
C) method of authority
D) scientific method

Accepted Answer

The artist is using the method of empiricism by observing and collecting data from a natural phenomenon (raindrops on a painted canvas) to gain knowledge about how it will affect the painting.

Question 18

Visual illusions, such as the vertical/horizontal illusion, provide a demonstration of one problem with the ____ method of knowing or acquiring knowledge.
A) rational
B) authority
C) empirical
D) scientific

Accepted Answer

Empirical method of knowing or acquiring knowledge relies on observation and experimentation. Visual illusions demonstrate that our sensory perceptions can be easily fooled and therefore cannot always be trusted as accurate representations of reality. This highlights the limitations of relying solely on empirical observations without also considering other sources of knowledge, such as rational or scientific methods.

Question 19

The mode of inquiry that is called the method of faith is a variant of which other method of inquiry?
A) empiricism
B) rationalism
C) the method of authority
D) the scientific method

Accepted Answer

The method of faith involves relying on an authority, such as religious teachings or texts, to guide one's beliefs and actions. This is a variant of the method of authority, which involves accepting information or guidance from a source that is perceived as having expertise or credibility. It is distinct from empiricism, which involves relying on observable evidence and experimentation, rationalism, which involves relying on reason and logic, and the scientific method, which involves systematic observation, hypothesis testing, and data analysis.

Question 20

An explanation is rational if it is based on ____.
A) widely held beliefs
B) logical deductions
C) evidence of the senses
D) respect for the source of the explanation

Accepted Answer

A rational explanation is one that is based on logical deductions or sound reasoning. While widely held beliefs, evidence of the senses, and respect for the source of the explanation can all be factors in evaluating an explanation, they do not necessarily make an explanation rational.

Quiz 1: Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge, and the Scientific Method

A young child believing everything that her kindergarten teacher says to be true is an example of ____.

Which method of acquiring knowledge is being used when people make decisions based on instinct or hunches?

Which potential problem can occur when the rational method is used?

A person who buys a lottery ticket because s/he just feels lucky is using the method of ____.

A limitation of using the method of empiricism is that ____.

Kenji believes that food poisoning causes food aversions, so when he finds out that his friend Brielle hates seafood, he assumes that Brielle must have had food poisoning after eating seafood sometime in her past. Kenji is using the ____.

Looking up your local weather report online is an example of using the ____.

An explanation is empirical if it is based on ____.

A student who believes that his or her performance on tests is influenced by wearing a lucky hat is using the method of ____.

What is a potential problem with the method of authority?

Using a sports star to sell clothing in a television commercial relies upon which nonscientific method of acquiring knowledge?

Which method of acquiring knowledge is being used by students who are learning from teachers and textbooks?

Marisol just found out she is pregnant and tells everyone that she has a feeling she will have a girl. In this case, Marisol is using the ____.

When your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your heart, the doctor is gathering information by using the ____.

When you "know" that you do not want to eat chocolate-covered crickets, even when everyone around you says that they taste great, your decision is based on the method of ____.

Last year Tomas and his friend Jamie were both too short to ride the rollercoaster. Jamie went to the park this year and was tall enough to ride. Because Tomas is taller than Jamie, he thinks that he will be able to ride the rollercoaster as well. Tomas is using the ____ to answer his question.

An artist tries putting a freshly painted canvas outside during a rainstorm to see how the painting will change from the pattern of the raindrops. Which method of acquiring knowledge is she using?

Visual illusions, such as the vertical/horizontal illusion, provide a demonstration of one problem with the ____ method of knowing or acquiring knowledge.

The mode of inquiry that is called the method of faith is a variant of which other method of inquiry?

An explanation is rational if it is based on ____.