Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II Synthesizing And Writ
Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II Synthesizing and Writing
When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking.
The assignment is divided into two (2) parts. For Part I of the assignment (due Week 2), you read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes, reviewed the Procon.org Website in order to gather information, and engaged in prewriting to examine your thoughts. * Remember that in the Week 2 Discussion, you examined the biases discussed in Chapter 2 of the webtext. In Part II of the assignment (due Week 4), you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Paper For Above instruction
For this second part of the assignment, you are required to write a three to four-page analytical and reflective paper that demonstrates your understanding of the critical thinking process related to evaluating and challenging your biases. This paper should be well-structured, with an introduction, clear body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You should adhere to the standards of English grammar, punctuation, and mechanics, ensuring your writing is clear, organized, and cohesive.
The focus of the paper is to explore your personal engagement with biases in relation to a specific issue you previously selected in Assignment 1.1. You need to clearly state your position on that issue and substantiate it with at least three premises or reasons derived from the Procon.org website. For each premise, explain why you selected those particular reasons and how they support your stance on the issue.
Additionally, you are to reflect on your cognitive process by answering the "believing" questions about the premises opposing your position, thereby critically evaluating alternative viewpoints and your own reasoning. It is important to address the types of biases—such as confirmation bias or groupthink—that you likely experienced while assessing both supporting and opposing reasons for your position. Describe how your enculturation or group affiliations may have influenced your biases and decision-making process. Finally, reflect on whether your thinking has evolved after practicing the "Believing Game," regardless of whether your position on the issue has changed.
The paper must include a cover page with the title, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The content should be formatted according to APA standards: double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins. Citations and references must also follow APA Style. Remember to incorporate at least five credible sources, including both scholarly and media/internet sources, and cite them appropriately within your paper and in the reference section.
References
- Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
- Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life. Pearson Education.
- ProCon.org. (n.d.). Debates and issues. https://www.procon.org
- Stanovich, K. E. (2011). How to think straight about psychology. Pearson Higher Ed.
- Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.
- Kuhn, D. (1999). A developmental model of critical thinking. Educational Researcher, 28(2), 16-25.
- Nisbett, R. E., & Wilson, T. D. (1977). The halo effect: Evidence for unconscious alteration of judgments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35(4), 250–256.
- Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2012). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking.
- Stanovich, K. E., & West, R. F. (2000). Individual differences in reasoning: Implications for the rationality debate? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 23(5), 645-665.