Premium Essay

Thinking

In:

Submitted By jphillips413
Words 971
Pages 4
How many words does it take to know you’re talking to an adult? In “Peter Pan,” J. M. Barrie needed just five: “Do you believe in fairies?”

Such belief requires magical thinking. Children suspend disbelief. They trust that events happen with no physical explanation, and they equate an image of something with its existence. Magical thinking was Peter Pan’s key to eternal youth.

The ghouls and goblins that will haunt All Hallows’ Eve on Friday also require people to take a leap of faith. Zombies wreak terror because children believe that the once-dead can reappear. At haunted houses, children dip their hands in buckets of cold noodles and spaghetti sauce. Even if you tell them what they touched, they know they felt guts. And children surmise that with the right Halloween makeup, costume and demeanor, they can frighten even the most skeptical adult.

We do grow up. We get jobs. We have children of our own. Along the way, we lose our tendencies toward magical thinking.

Or at least we think we do. Several streams of research in psychology, neuroscience and philosophy are converging on an uncomfortable truth: We’re more susceptible to magical thinking than we’d like to admit. Consider the quandary facing college students in a clever demonstration of magical thinking. An experimenter hands you several darts and instructs you to throw them at different pictures. Some depict likable objects (for example, a baby), others are neutral (for example, a face-shaped circle). Would your performance differ if you lobbed darts at a baby?

It would. Performance plummeted when people threw the darts at the baby. Laura A. King, the psychologist at the University of Missouri who led this investigation, notes that research participants have a “baseless concern that a picture of an object shares an essential relationship with the object itself.”

Paul Rozin, a psychology

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Thinking About Thinking

...Thinking about Thinking Critical thinking is a process of testing an argument or observation for legitimacy. (Moore & Parker, 2012) Critical thinking includes deductive and inductive arguments. One important survival skill humans have is critical thinking. Had our ancestors not had the ability to think critically, we would not be here. When determining the worth of an argument, it is necessary to break an argument into parts. One must determine the premise or premises and conclusion. Had our ancestors not learned that some red berries can kill you, many more would have eaten these berries; destroying the future of the gene pool. We learned that premises are statements of assumed or known facts which should not contradicts each other. (Moore & Parker, 2012) A conclusion is an assumption drawn from the premises. For example; one premise could be that two dogs sit before you. Another could be that both are white with black spots. Both statements suggest that the dogs belong to the same breed. We begin thinking critically by identifying the premises, then examining each for soundness. Any vagueness or uncertainty must be determined within the suggestions. In the case of a deductive argument, the conclusion must be true if the premises are true. (Moore & Parker, 2012) When the truth value of a conclusion is unclear, despite the truth of its premises, it is then an inductive argument. (Moore & Parker, 2012) For example; upon closer observation, one dog is white...

Words: 346 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Thinking

...The topic of thinking can be profound one, including many voluntary and involuntary procedures. These include the sense of a problem, the observation of given conditions, the formation and rational elaboration of a suggested conclusion, and the active experimental testing (Pg. 151). Thinking is very significant because it allows us to analyze, evaluate, explain, and restructure certain situations, which ideally decreases the risk of acting on, or thinking with, false ideas. Many times a thinker, even after carrying out these steps, can make mistakes due to a thinker incorrectly extending ones own belief system beyond its reasonable limits or failure to know all of the facts. Critical thinking is based on concepts and principles. Of course, thinking does not always assure that one will reach either the truth or correct conclusions. As Dewey states, thinking always involves a risk. Certainty cannot be guaranteed in advance (Pg. 148). First, one may not have all the relevant information needed. Important information may remain undiscovered, or the information may not be obvious at first. Also, many mistakes from the thinker may come into plays such as unjustified assumptions, use of inappropriate concepts, failure to notice important hints, or the use a biased or unfair point of view. One may also be corrupt with closed-mindedness. An individual’s misguided thinking may also be, inaccurate, imprecise, irrelevant, narrow, illogical, or trivial. He or she could also think on a level...

Words: 260 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Thinking

...Dimensions of Critical Thinking Critical thinking is a process in our human mind. Each and every day human beings must do this whether consciously or unconsciously. A critical thinker process that I became well aware of that; I thought was just regular thinking was simply preparing dinner meals. I just simply looked at its’ association with natural living. Some insights that I gained from this exercise is that when using the critical thinking process you either make assumptions, be biased and or analyze the situations. Assumptions can be detrimental to someone’s character. Sometimes we as human beings don’t take into account all the hard evidence before making final decisions. We take a lead and go all the way and fill in our own blanks. The exercise has taught me that every situation, sentence, and statement needs to be evaluated thoroughly. We live in such a microwave society that we don’t want to take the extra time; we are always rushing and not taking the millisecond to make the right choice or make the right decision. When we are challenged about our decision then we re-evaluate the scenario and find the facts or make accusations whether justifiable or inconsistent. At some time or another we also can be very bias in our daily conversations. Sometimes we are not persuaded to change our thinking even when the evidence clearly states the truth. A critical thinker will always have a plan and analyze the evidence in hand. Critical thinking added to a person repertoire...

Words: 290 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Thinking

...Thinking and Decision Making Paper MGT 350 Barak Morton Jason Fynewever, Miranda Snyder Tia Fraser Tammy Wilson The world is a very diverse place made up many different cultures which would lead to many different look at a situation. With the diverse country we live in we have to take into account all the different thinking styles as well as different decision making processes to come to a decision that is best. With all of the different thinking styles we are able to make decisions in both our professional and personal life in which would be based on many the many aspects of our life. Throughout this paper we will be examining similarities and differences between three thinking styles: emotional, logical and optimistic. As a team we will compare and contrast these three different types of thinking styles as well as comment on how each affects the critical thinking process. We will also apply critical thinking to the decision-making process by discussing workplace examples. These examples will highlight each of the three different thinking styles we chose for this paper. Emotional Thinking Style In times of high emotion one is quick to respond rather than to use critical thinking to consider the situation and the possible consequences of the response. Emotional Thinking refers to the ability or inability to distinguish emotions and thoughts, or how one successfully (or unsuccessfully) applies sound judgment and reasoning to situations...

Words: 884 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Thinking vs. Critical Thinking

... Instructor: Carol Thomas February 29, 2016 A wide range of implications strike a chord when I hear the words basic considering. No single meaning of basic speculation is broadly acknowledged, is the thing that wrote in a researcher article. At the point when instructors are solicited what their significance from basic deduction is they have numerous different answers. As educators, we frequently assume that we comprehend what is implied by basic considering. Demystifying Critical Thinking. Likewise recommended that the expression basic deduction is incomprehensibly both exhausted and under-broke down. I concur to some degree with these quotes, however as an instructor myself in an extremely introverted classroom or some other classroom we do use much believing that regularly can be basic. In our classroom as understudies. With our understudies there is much examining, thinking abilities to do the numerous assignments of training for their psyches. We utilize basic deduction with documentation we do, arranging exercises and plans, and shaping great, business related associations with our understudies and our colleagues. Similarly as with any understudies in the classroom an instructor must ensure they keep documentation on the numerous subtle elements of what goes on, yet with our extremely introverted understudies it is required that we record everything about books. We have certain understudies that we need to...

Words: 981 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical Thinking Shirl McRee MGT/350 November 2, 2010 Brandon Johnson Critical Thinking What is critical thinking? This term has many meanings to everyone on the globe. To some people it is the meaning of positive thinking and to many others it is the process of thinking clearly and concisely without bias or prejudice. “Critical thinking is a rich concept that has been developing throughout the past 2500 years.  The term "critical thinking" has its roots in the mid-late 20th century.  We offer here overlapping definitions, together which form a substantive, transdisciplinary conception of critical thinking” (Criticalthinking.org, 2009). What is Critical Thinking? “Critical thinking is here assumed to be reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. This rough overall definition is, we believe, in accord with the way the term is generally used these days. Under this interpretation, critical thinking is relevant not only to the formation and checking of beliefs, but also to deciding upon and evaluating actions. It involves creative activities such as formulating hypotheses, plans, and counterexamples; planning experiments; and seeing alternatives. Furthermore critical thinking is reflective -- and reasonable” (Criticalthinking.net, 2010). Critical thinking is a way of life for most people. They have no bias judgments, no prejudices that are even talked about on a daily basis, or even seen. They live a life of thinking that...

Words: 743 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical Thinking and Decision Making Inessa Arutunyan Linda Iacoboni Anisha Lalwani Dan Sarbu MGT/350 November 7, 2011 James Chatterton Critical Thinking and Decision Making Critical thinking is thinking comprised with careful judgment. One gathers facts and evidence then analyzes the data to come to an objective conclusion. Decision-making is the process of arriving at an agreement through careful analysis without bias. When applying the process of critical thinking sound and solid decisions evolve. Several types of thinking can enhance or inhibit critical thinking when one is moving toward a decision. For example, emotional thinking or, sometimes referred to as emotional intelligence. Emotions are "a state of consciousness having to do with the arousal of feelings” (Webster’s New World Dictionary). Feelings can be pleasant or unpleasant that one can react to when in action or thinking. Intelligence is a measure of the amount a person can favorably (or unfavorably) apply sound judgment and reason to a situation while deciding their feelings to the situation (Elder, 1996). Critical thinking is the ability to advance ones thinking toward logic and the capacity to analytically reason. Emotions can cause a defect in critical thinking. Emotions are one’s internal gauge, letting one know how he or she is doing in any...

Words: 1483 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Paradoxical Thinking

...Synopsis of Paradoxical Thinking and its Utilization In an Organization Muzit Mengesha National University MGT 605 - Organization Management and Leadership Professor Carrie Noah March 1st, 2015 Table of contents I. Introduction / Definition 3 II. A Company That Demonstrates Paradoxical Thinking 5 III. Can Paradoxical Thinking be learned 7 IV. Paradoxical Thinking, One of Eight Skills Related to Intelligence 8 V. Summary 9 VI. References 10 I. Introduction / Definition The main purpose of this paper is to define paradoxical thinking and explain its importance and applicability within organizations. After indicating the traditionally utilized cause-and-effect thinking, it will be evident cause-and-effect thinking may not be the best approach to solving managerial problems. After defining and explaining cause-and-effect thinking and posturing the idea cause-and-effect thinking can actually hinder mastery, the idea of paradoxical thinking will be defined and...

Words: 2160 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Abstract This paper explores critical thinking skills and teaching them in an educational setting. Teaching critical thinking is highly debatable. Many feel as though it is not a necessary skill that needs to be learned and others feel as though it is not a skill that can be taught. In this paper I will discuss what critical thinking is and ways it can be taught in an educational setting. Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in Schools For many years critical thinking has been an important issue in education. Following the 1948 Convention of the American Psychological Association, Benjamin Bloom, an American educational psychologist, took control over the development of the goals of the educational process. The goals of the educational process included knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Ever since, the debate over critical thinking has been a hot one (Schneider, 2002). What is critical thinking? Well throughout the past decade the definition of critical thinking has somewhat changed and there are numerous definitions to define it. According to Paul Chance, “critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts, generate and organize ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw inferences, evaluate arguments and solve problems” (Chance, 1986). According to Tama Carrol critical thinking is, “a way of reasoning that demands adequate support for one’s beliefs and an unwillingness to be persuaded unless support is forthcoming”...

Words: 1318 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Ccritical Thinking

...How can critical thinking be more applicable in the contemporary society with reference to the following aspects Social, economic, political, intellectual. Critical thinking is an important element of all professional fields and academic disciplines (by referencing their respective sets of permissible questions, evidence sources, criteria, etc.). Within the framework of scientific skepticism, the process of critical thinking involves the careful acquisition and interpretation of information and use of it to reach a well-justified conclusion. The concepts and principles of critical thinking can be applied to any context or case but only by reflecting upon the nature of that application. Critical thinking forms, therefore, a system of related, and overlapping, modes of thought such as anthropological thinking, sociological thinking, historical thinking, political thinking, business person, etc. In other words, though critical thinking principles are universal, their application to disciplines requires a process of reflective contextualization. Critical thinking is considered important in the academic fields because it enables one to analyze, evaluate, explain, and restructure their thinking, thereby decreasing the risk of adopting, acting on, or thinking with, a false belief. For example when students join high school they are usually told that mathematics is hard but a student who thinks critically will first practice it then come up with his /her own conclusion about the subject...

Words: 1593 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical Thinking Essay Critical thinking is a process where the person involved will truly investigate every aspect of a decision or topic to form a conclusion. “Critical thinking is self-directed, self-discipline, self-monitored and self-corrective thinking.” (Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2013) “Critical thinking also includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Some skills that critical thinkers have are understanding the logical connections between ideas, solve problems systematically and identify the relevance and importance of ideas.” (Lau and Chan 2004-2014) It has also been said by The Foundation for Critical Thinking that people who think critically will live rationally, reasonably and emphatically. Critical thinking is a learned skill and is an extremely rare quality for people to have. to master critical thinking skills it takes a lot of training. Some ways to become a better critical thinker would be; reshape your character, do not be so quick to judge, and practicing a problem a day and get in touch with your feelings. Critical thinking skills are necessary for jobs with leadership roles; for example, a teacher. As a teacher, they are expected to make decisions, solve problems and guide others into doing the right thing. Teachers who make informed decisions based on research and beliefs tend to avoid thinking and acting on misinformation. As a teacher, they are also faced with challenges with diversity so they have to redefine...

Words: 431 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Thinking Sk

...FAH 0033 THINKING SKILLS 2. INTELLIGENCE, THINKING AND KNOWLEDGE Intelligence? Thinking? Knowledge? I have aced the definition of thinking, but now this! Gosh! Thinking vs Intelligence The belief that intelligence and thinking are the same has led to 2 unfortunate conclusions in education: 1. That nothing is to be done for students with a high intelligence because they will automatically be good thinkers. 2. That nothing can be done for students without a high intelligence because they cannot ever be good thinkers. Thinking vs Intelligence • de Bono found that by developing thinking abilities, it is possible to transform one’s aggressive tendencies, bad temper and other negative tendencies creatively and constructively. when school students were taught to think effectively, their ill-temper and aggressive tendencies reduced significantly. • Thinking vs Intelligence • Clinical Psychologists have also found that those who have neuroses are poor thinkers as compared to normal people. Neurotics scored significantly lower scores in decision making, problem-solving and creative thinking. Interestingly, when neurotics were taught to think effectively, they showed a remarkable reduction in their neurosis. • Intelligence, Thinking & Knowledge A car analogy: • Intelligence is like the horsepower of a car. • Thinking is like the skill of the car driver. • Knowledge is like the fuel of the car. Intelligence, Thinking & Knowledge • Driving Skills...

Words: 755 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical Thinking and Making Intelligent Decisions Critical thinking, simply put, is the ability to think objectively about an idea, with awareness to biases and other distortions to perception, and come to a logical and intelligent decision. The ability to analyze the thinking process and understand how people think, or how one’s own thought process works, is an important factor for thinking critically. Not only is critical thinking an asset in daily life, but also particularly beneficial to the workplace. Analyzing other people’s perceptions in addition to one’s own perception is of utmost importance to a successful business. The benefits to critical thinking far surpass any information acquired by an individual, for without the ability to think objectively about the information; the information is futile. The emphasis on critical thinking can assist the decision-making process by understanding the way in which people assess problems and analyze solutions to those problems. Critical thinking is about learning how to think rather than what to think (Schaferson, 1991). By recognizing the way one’s own thought process influences decision-making, an individual embraces critical thinking. Acknowledgment of personal biases and other forms of distortions to perception are not only important to the decision-making process but to self-awareness by the decision-maker. Subconscious biases are common among most people, but by having empathy for others and viewing the situation from...

Words: 727 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical thinking is a process that I didn’t have very much knowledge about until this week’s learning activities. Reading about critical thinking, logic, and decision making, made me realize how much I use it in my everyday life. In our readings they state “critical thinking frees us from nonsense” (Being a Master Student, Ch7). This is true because when we think with a clear mind it enables us to make better decisions. As I continued to read about critical thinking I noticed that there are many different interpretations and definitions of the meaning of critical thinking. When I was reading the Electronic Reserve Readings, the definition of critical thinking that stood out the most to me was Haplem (as cited in Fowler, 2002) defines critical thinking “as thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task” (Fowler, 2002). I thought this definition was a great way to define critical thinking. It is telling me that you should define the problem, ask yourself questions, and answer those questions logically. There are 6 steps that are to be followed or used during the critical thinking process. I read and then interpreted the steps in my own words, so I could understand them better. Step 1: Identifying the issue or topic. Step...

Words: 518 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...Critical Thinking Critical Thinking The concept of critical thinking explains a process that involves utilising various interrelated skills to integrate, analyse and carefully evaluate what peoples read and hear from some sources. Therefore, critical thinking requires a determination of whether we should accept, reject or suspend judgement regarding a claim to acting in a certain way (Massey, 2015).This essay analyses steps to critical thinking, how emotions affect decisions making and critical thinking in professional and societal responsibilities. Critical thinking include knowledge, comprehension, application, synthesis and evaluation. In critical thinking, knowledge includes the most fundamental level of information. In this step, the individual identifies what the source of the knowledge says, the topic and issue. The next step is comprehension. The step involves having a comprehensive understanding of the idea. A critical thinker should, have an understanding of what is seen and read. The understanding gained by the critical thinkers is important in order to obtain new knowledge by reflecting on what is known. The ability of the individual to form own interpretation and to express it through writing to give it a new significance measures the level of individuals understanding. The application requires the person to know what they have read, heard from the source. Further individuals should have knowledge of how to apply the same knowledge...

Words: 545 - Pages: 3