Chapter 2 Flashcards
Common impediments to critical thinking
Psychological- hindrances that arose from what we think
Philosophical- arose from how we think
Self centered thinking:
Psychological obstacle
When we accept a claim based solely on the grounds that it advances or coincides with our interests.
Accept claims because they help you save face.
Leave you open to manipulation from people who appeal to your personal desires or prejudice.
Groupthink
The common and dangerous tendencies to fall in line and agree even when you should know better.
Problem on social media
Appeal to popularity
When the pressure to agree comes form the mere popularity of a belief.
Appeal to the masses
Appeal to common practice
When the pressure to confirm comes from what groups of people do or how they behave
Stereotyping
Classifying individuals into groups according to their oversimplified or predjudiced attitudes or opinions.
What’s the best way for a critical thinker to deal with the power of a group?
Proportion your belief to the strength of reasons
Inferiorizatiin and antipathy
The belief that some races are inferior in certain respects
The belief that some races deserve disdain. Hatred. Hostility
Remedy for resisting co ready evidence
Make a conscious effort to look for opposing evidence.
Don’t consider your evaluation complete u til you have considered all the relevant reasons.
Looking for confirming evidence
When we seek out and only use confirming evidence.
Aka confirmation bias.
When we evaluate claims we should seek out disconfirming as well as confirming evidence.
Preferring available evidence
Aka availability error
Rely on evidence because it’s memorable or striking - psychologically available.
Motivated reasoning
Reasoning for the purpose of supporting a predetermined conclusion, not to uncover the truth.
Confirmation bias in overdrive
Homophily
The tendency to give more credence to a statement that comes from a friend.
Mere exposure effect
The idea that just being exposed repeatedly to words or images can induce a favorable or comfortable feeling toward them.
Even without registering them consciously
Illusion of truth effect
When you come to believe that a false claim is true simply because it’s familiar
