COL 150 Exam #2 Review (Critical Thinking Unit)

What is Critical Thinking?

100

This is defined as the process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gather from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

critical thinking

200

These are the 2 components that critical thinking is seen to have

1) a set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and 

2) the habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide behavior.

300

True or false: No one is a critical thinker through-and-through.

True

400

Qualities of a critical thinker

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

500

(from video "What is CT?") 

True or false: When engaging in critical thinking, starting with questions of "What do I know?" and "How do I know this?" are good starting points.

True

WSWNW Model

100

Which stage of the What-So What-Now What model is this question asked:

How did you feel when it happened?

So What

200

Which stage of the What-So What-Now What model is this question asked:

What caused this event?

So What

300

Which stage of the What-So What-Now What model is this question asked:

How might you better prepare and resource yourself for a similar situation? 

Now What

400

Which stage of the What-So What-Now What model is this question asked:

What did you particularly notice?

What

500

Which stage of the What-So What-Now What model is this question asked:

What was the related data or information? 

What

Logic and the Study of Arguments

100

the statements being offered in support for the conclusion

premises

200

a set of statements (premises and conclusion)

arguments

300

Characteristics of a good argument

1. Are persuasive.
2. Have premises that provide good evidence for the conclusion.
3. Contain premises that are true.
4. Reach a true conclusion.
5. Provide the audience good reasons for accepting the conclusion.

400

statements that begin with:

• since
• firstly, secondly, …
• for, as, after all
• assuming that, in view of the fact that
• follows from, as shown / indicated by
• may be inferred / deduced / derived from

premises

500

Preceded by words like:

• therefore, so, it follows that
• hence, consequently
• suggests / proves / demonstrates that
• entails, implies

conclusions

Intellectual Standards

100

One of the 9 intellectual standards involving thinking to be explained well

clarity

200

One of the 9 intellectual standards that refers to an argument being reasonable, the thinking is consistent, and the conclusions follow from the evidence.

Logical

300

One of the 9 intellectual standards that says that the argument is balanced and free from bias

Fairness

400

One of the 9 intellectual standards that everything included is important, and that each part makes a difference

Relevance

500

One of the 9 intellectual standards that means including the most important ideas

Significance

Evaluating a Source

100

True of false: You shouldn't be skeptical of all informational writing if they come from a reputable source.

False.

Until the author gives you a reason to trust them, you should be skeptical of all informational writing. 

200

When you look at a text, this is the first thing you should be considering

1. main idea/claim

300

When you look at a text, this is the second thing you should be considering

2. evidence

400

When you look at a text, this is the final thing you should be considering

3. reasoning

500

True of false: An author making an argument and claiming it is true suffices

False.

When it comes to making arguments, you have to show your work.