In Chapter 1, One of the Critical Thinking Guidelines That

question 36

Essay

In Chapter 1, one of the critical thinking guidelines that we learned about was "Consider Other Interpretations." Before settling on one interpretation of the evidence, critical thinkers generate as many interpretations as possible. For example, an athlete wears a new pair of socks and then surpasses her own record for the number of baskets made during a game. Her socks become "lucky" and she makes sure to wear them for each basketball game. What type of reinforcement explains the fact that she clings to her socks as a lucky charm? What other interpretations should she consider?

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Definitions:

Constructivism

A theory of learning that emphasizes the role of individuals in constructing their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.

Critical Realist

An advocate or adherent of critical realism, a philosophical approach that believes the nature of reality is independent of human thoughts and beliefs but that our understanding of it is socially constructed.

Accuracy of Personality Judgments

The degree to which assessments or perceptions of others' personalities are consistent with their actual behavior and self-reports.

Realistic Accuracy Model

A psychological framework positing that accurate judgment of others' personalities is based on relevance, availability, detection, and utilization of behavioral information.