PTE Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is a conspiracy theory?
A secret operation carried out by a group of plotters who are working towards some end.
What is intentionality bias?
We assume that when something bad happens, its because someone did something malicious.
What is proportionality bias?
We assume that when something big happens, something big caused it.
What is causality bias?
We like to believe there are easy to understand reasons for everything.
What is need for closure?
We don’t like waiting for solutions and prefer to have something solved right away.
What is need for control?
We bad things happen, we feel much better when we think we can stop it from happening again.
What is need for uniqueness?
We like to think that we’re special and not like everyone else.
What is confirmation bias?
We tend to ignore information that challenges our preconceptions and latch on to information that proves we’re already right.
What is in group bias?
When you favour the views of people you like and trust.
What is the backfire effect?
When people attack our beliefs, we sometimes take it as an attack on us and double down on our beliefs to defend ourselves.
What is anchoring?
When you stick with the first information you recieve.
What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
When you only have a little knowledge on a subject, you become confident in your ability as an expert. As you learn more, you realise how limited you are and underestimate your confidence.
What is a scout mindset?
Trying to find the truth and not taking beliefs personally.
What is a soldier mindset?
Sticking to and fighting for your beliefs despite potential opposing evidence.
What is the meaning of the quote “Religion is the opium of the masses?”
Religion is a drug that makes us happy.
What did Karl Marx, a political philosopher, say about religion?
The rich use religion to supress the poor by saying that they don’t need money or wealth to go to heaven.
What did Jo Marchant say about religious beliefs?
Even if religious beliefs are potentially false, they can still be good for us as they bring people together and can make us better people.
What is misogyny and how can it be seen today?
Hatred of women. For example, lots of children’s toys aimed at girls are often pink coloured, showing that in society women/girls should like the colour pink, and are taught that from a young age.
Why can misogyny be attractive to young men and women?
It makes people who aren’t very secure feel better about themselves.
What is polarisation and what is an example of it in the world today?
Polarisation is where there are two extreme sides and no middle ground. An example is in America where there are republican supporters and democrat supporters and very few rational people who speak up.
What factors lead us to becoming more polarised as a society?
Social media- extreme ideas are very easy to popularise.
Influencers and followers- If you like or agree with a particular influencer it’s easier to only listen to them and not other evidence.
Stereotyping certain types of people.
Conflicts and global problems- either you’re on one side or the other.
What changes in social media helped lead to more polarisation?
In 2009 Facebook added the like button. This made social media turn from just talking to a popularity contest. This made hateful comments more rewarding, as influencers could say controversial things just to get more people to notice them, creating a more polarised society as people rally around more hateful ideas. The retweet button added to twitter in the same year had a similar effect.
How has social media lead changed democracies?
Democracies are now more likely to fail because passion and hatred can spread instantly through social media, and a demagogue can come in because everyone will appeal to them.
What is a demagogue?
Someone who appeals to the wishes of the people. An example of this is Donald Trump.
