Verbal Reports Are Sometimes Used in the Study of Thinking

question 12

Essay

Verbal reports are sometimes used in the study of thinking, but caution must be exercised in their use. Why? Describe research findings that support your argument.

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Definitions:

Ontological Argument

A philosophical argument for the existence of God based on the premise that the very concept or definition of God necessitates His existence.

Perfection

The condition, state, or quality of being free from all flaws or defects.

Moral Evil

Wrong or harm arising from intentional actions or character flaws of moral agents, contrasted with evil resulting from natural processes or accidents.

Free Will

Among philosophers, a somewhat antiquated expression (as in “he did it of his own free will”) meaning that a person is capable of making decisions that are not determined by antecedent conditions. Of course, there may be antecedent considerations, such as what a person wants or what a person believes, but free will means that such considerations never determine a person’s decision. At most they “enter into the decision.”