Question 1

A critical thinker would be LEAST likely to exclaim in the heat of an argument:

Accepted Answer

A critical thinker would be open to considering other perspectives and possibilities, rather than being closed-minded and stubborn. Choice D indicates a lack of willingness to consider alternative viewpoints, and is therefore the least likely response of a critical thinker.

Question 2

Which of the following would be an example of "argument by anecdote"?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of argument by anecdote as it relies on a single personal experience (the opinion of the best friend) rather than objective evidence or reasoning.

Question 3

"I want to believe that my memory of our family camping trip is true, but that doesn't mean that it is true." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The answer of "I want to believe that my memory...

Question 4

Cheryl wants to know why one member of an identical twin pair develops schizophrenia whereas his twin does not. Her professor replies, "Researchers aren't sure." Which of the following is most likely according to our textbook?

Accepted Answer

The textbook suggests that the cause of schizophrenia is not fully understood and there is no one specific cause; rather, it is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, it is not surprising for the professor to state that researchers are uncertain about why one twin develops schizophrenia while the other does not. The professor's response of "Researchers aren't sure" is an example of tolerating uncertainty, which is a common practice in the scientific community.

Question 5

Randy meets a Calgarian who grows all her own vegetables and refuses to touch any nonorganic food and he concludes that Calgarians are overzealous about nutrition. This type of error illustrates the critical-thinking guideline:

Accepted Answer

The critical-thinking guideline of not oversimplifying requires avoiding making broad conclusions based on limited evidence or stereotypes. Randy's conclusion that Calgarians are overzealous about nutrition is an oversimplification based on one person's actions.

Question 6

The authors note that ________ trigger(s) creative thinking.

Accepted Answer

The authors specifically mention curiosity and wonder as triggers for creative thinking in the context of enhancing innovation skills. Attending class, reading textbooks, and receiving wisdom from experts may contribute to knowledge acquisition and understanding, but they are not necessarily direct triggers for creative thinking. Being open-minded can facilitate exploring new ideas, but it is not necessarily a trigger for creative thinking in and of itself.

Question 7

"I really want to believe that my memory of the day I spent at Disneyland as a preschooler is true, but that doesn't mean that it is true." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The statement highlights the importance of not letting emotions cloud judgment, as wanting to believe something doesn't make it true.

Question 8

Beliefs that are taken for granted are called:

Accepted Answer

Beliefs that are taken for granted are called assumptions.

Question 9

"My memory of getting knocked down by a wave at Long Beach could be based on what my parents told me later, not my own recollection." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

This example highlights the need to consider other interpretations, as the memory may not be based on the individual's own recollection but instead on what was told to them by others. This requires critical thinking to question the validity of the memory and consider alternative explanations.

Question 10

In ruling out alternative explanations of a phenomenon, a critical thinker should choose the explanation that:

Accepted Answer

The best choice for ruling out alternative explanations of a phenomenon is the explanation that requires the fewest assumptions and has the most supporting evidence. This approach is based on the principle of parsimony, which states that the simplest explanation that fits the facts is usually the correct one. By choosing the explanation with the most evidence and fewest assumptions, the critical thinker can minimize the risk of accepting a flawed conclusion.

Question 11

"I've always thought that memory was like a video camera, accurately recording each moment of my life. But maybe I think this because it is so reassuring." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the assumption or bias that memory is an accurate record of our lives, which is a common belief but not necessarily true. By recognizing this assumption or bias, we can analyze and evaluate the reliability of our memory and seek out additional evidence or perspectives.

Question 12

Phrenology is:

Accepted Answer

Phrenology is a pseudoscience that claims to relate bumps on the head to personality traits, despite lacking evidence or scientific basis.

Question 13

Critical thinking requires:

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking involves the ability to analyze and evaluate information, and to construct alternative explanations or solutions to a problem. Creativity plays a significant role in this process. Option B is incorrect because critical thinking involves recognizing that not all opinions are equal or valid. Option C is only partially correct, as being open-minded is important but critical thinking also requires skepticism and the ability to evaluate information objectively. Option D is incorrect because critical thinking involves not only acquiring knowledge, but also analyzing and applying it.

Question 14

If you are a critical thinker, reading a psychology textbook should be approached as:

Accepted Answer

As a critical thinker, approaching a psychology textbook should be viewed as an opportunity to generate questions, rather than simply receiving wisdom from expert researchers. This allows the reader to actively engage with the material and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Question 15

The local newspaper reports that bullying is rampant and that more than 90% of local children have been bullied. The school district newsletter, however, reports that the number of victims of bullying is quite low. It is most likely that:

Accepted Answer

It is likely that each source is defining "bullying" in a different way, leading to different estimates of its prevalence. The local newspaper may be using a broad definition of bullying that includes minor incidents, while the school district may have a more limited definition that focuses on severe or repeated incidents. Therefore, the discrepancy in statistics is likely due to different operationalizations rather than one source intentionally misleading the public.

Question 16

"Can I recall events from my childhood accurately?" This question illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The question "Can I recall events from my childhood accurately?" reflects a willingness to question and wonder about the accuracy of one's memories, aligning with the guideline to ask questions and be willing to wonder.

Question 17

If you are a critical thinker, reading a psychology textbook should be approached as:

Accepted Answer

As a critical thinker, one should approach a psychology textbook as an opportunity to generate questions, rather than just passively receiving information. This allows for further exploration and evaluation of the content, promoting a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Question 18

"I may never know for sure whether my memory of my first visit to the ocean is accurate." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The statement highlights the importance of acknowledging uncertainty, which is a key guideline in critical thinking.

Question 19

The reaction to the 1998 book The Nurture Assumption, by Judith Rich Harris, illustrates what can happen when:

Accepted Answer

The Nurture Assumption challenged our common biases about the role of parents in shaping children's personalities and behavior, which led to a strong reaction and debates in the field of psychology.

Question 20

Critical thinkers analyze their assumptions. Which of the following critical-thinking errors illustrates that the speaker has not analyzed his or her assumptions?

Accepted Answer

The speaker in this statement assumes that men are by nature logical and not emotional without providing any evidence or analysis to support this assumption. This is an example of a critical-thinking error known as an assumption error.

Quiz 1: What Is Psychology

A critical thinker would be LEAST likely to exclaim in the heat of an argument:

Which of the following would be an example of "argument by anecdote"?

"I want to believe that my memory of our family camping trip is true, but that doesn't mean that it is true." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Cheryl wants to know why one member of an identical twin pair develops schizophrenia whereas his twin does not. Her professor replies, "Researchers aren't sure." Which of the following is most likely according to our textbook?

Randy meets a Calgarian who grows all her own vegetables and refuses to touch any nonorganic food and he concludes that Calgarians are overzealous about nutrition. This type of error illustrates the critical-thinking guideline:

The authors note that ________ trigger(s) creative thinking.

"I really want to believe that my memory of the day I spent at Disneyland as a preschooler is true, but that doesn't mean that it is true." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Beliefs that are taken for granted are called:

"My memory of getting knocked down by a wave at Long Beach could be based on what my parents told me later, not my own recollection." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

In ruling out alternative explanations of a phenomenon, a critical thinker should choose the explanation that:

"I've always thought that memory was like a video camera, accurately recording each moment of my life. But maybe I think this because it is so reassuring." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

Phrenology is:

Critical thinking requires:

If you are a critical thinker, reading a psychology textbook should be approached as:

The local newspaper reports that bullying is rampant and that more than 90% of local children have been bullied. The school district newsletter, however, reports that the number of victims of bullying is quite low. It is most likely that:

"Can I recall events from my childhood accurately?" This question illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

If you are a critical thinker, reading a psychology textbook should be approached as:

"I may never know for sure whether my memory of my first visit to the ocean is accurate." This example illustrates which of the following critical-thinking guidelines?

The reaction to the 1998 book The Nurture Assumption, by Judith Rich Harris, illustrates what can happen when:

Critical thinkers analyze their assumptions. Which of the following critical-thinking errors illustrates that the speaker has not analyzed his or her assumptions?