Since I haven't followed any of the myths listed, nor their investigation, we should be careful that a 'counter-myth' is not started. That is, is the research good enough to actually discount the original myths? Nevertheless, there is an example I wonder how often tipsters (and others of course) conduct routinely even if one is educated and a critical thinker. Do we as educated people and critical thinkers still, despite knowing differently, buy a book based on the 'praise section' at the back of the book? Or at least, that the praise section helps make up our mind if we are on the edge of to buy or not to buy? Such praise is anecdotal and of course well filtered (i.e. only "unsolicited" supportive quotes appear). Despite knowing this do we still make an emotional decision to buy? --Mike
--- On Sat, 1/24/09, Beth Benoit <[email protected]> wrote: From: Beth Benoit <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [tips] emotional reasoning/critical thinking To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 7:06 AM A little late, but here's the list I was looking for. It's a list of medical myths, from Tara Parker-Pope's blog, nytimes.com/well: 1. Sugar makes children hyperactive 2. Suicide increases over the holidays 3. Poinsettias are toxic 4. You lose most of your body heat through your head 5. Night eating makes you fat 6. Hangovers can be cured On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Beth Benoit <[email protected]> wrote: Gary, The autism/vaccine argument The moon effect argument (nurses and police officers often argue hotly on that one - I had one police officer who was SO convinced that a full moon = more crime, etc. that I offered him extra credit if he could find any study that showed this to be the case. He couldn't, of course, and sheepishly admitted it by the end of the course. Nice guy, though, and he was a good sport about it.) I'll keep thinking... Beth Benoit Granite State College New Hampshire On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM, Gerald Peterson <[email protected]> wrote: I am going over critical thinking guidelines in class and want to present examples of emotional reasoning. I want to help the students realize that the passion for a claim or issue is not the key problem, but rather the emotionalism that often directs/distorts one's further examination. Can tipsters see or develop other examples of where emotionalism is a problem in problem-solving, investigation? Emotional reactions or defensiveness can often be the culprit in closing off discussion or hinder openness eh? I am trying to find examples that would help students make the distinction here. Appreciate any ideas. Gary Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 989-964-4491 [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) -- "We will not learn how to live in peace by killing each other's children." - Jimmy Carter "Are our children more precious than theirs?" --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) -- "We will not learn how to live in peace by killing each other's children." - Jimmy Carter "Are our children more precious than theirs?" --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
