When Looking For Information About A Particular Issue ✓ Solved

When Looking For Information About A Particular Issue How Often Do Yo

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.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: When Looking For Information About A Particular Issue How Often Do Yo

Introduction:

Critical thinking is an essential skill for evaluating information objectively, especially when dealing with contentious issues. One crucial aspect of critical thinking involves consciously resisting biases that may influence our perceptions and judgments. This paper explores my personal approach to considering biases during information gathering, supported by Premises from the Procon.org website, and assesses how my thinking has evolved through reflective exercises like the "Believing Game."

My Position on the Issue:

I believe that actively resisting biases is vital for fair and balanced judgment when researching issues. While natural inclinations might sway us toward confirming our pre-existing beliefs, conscious effort is needed to challenge these biases and evaluate information objectively.

Supporting Premises from Procon.org:

1. The Importance of Bias Awareness: The website emphasizes that being aware of one’s own biases can foster more balanced decision-making. I selected this premise because understanding biases is foundational to critical thinking and self-improvement.

2. The Role of Evidence: The site highlights the importance of relying on credible evidence rather than anecdotal or emotionally biased information. This aligns with my reasoning that resisting biases involves seeking objective, verifiable data.

3. The Value of Critical Examination of Opposing Views: Procon.org encourages examining opposing arguments to challenge one's preconceived notions. I chose this premise because it underscores the need for open-mindedness and active resistance to confirmation bias.

Believing Questions and Opposing Premises:

In reflecting on Premises that oppose my stance, I considered questions like "Do I genuinely believe that I can avoid biases?" and "Can my inherent biases prevent me from objectively evaluating evidence?" I acknowledged that acknowledging one's biases is not sufficient; active, ongoing effort is necessary. The opposing premises made me question whether I was truly capable of entirely resisting biases or if biases are an unavoidable part of human cognition. Recognizing this helped me realize that resisting biases is an ongoing process, not a one-time effort.

Types of Biases Experienced:

1. Confirmation Bias: I observed that I tend to favor information supporting my prior beliefs and dismiss opposing viewpoints. This bias influences how I evaluate sources and interpret data.

2. Availability Bias: I found that readily available information, often sensational or emotionally charged, disproportionately affects my judgment. Being aware of this bias prompts me to seek more comprehensive evidence.

Influence of Enculturation and Group Identification:

My cultural background and group affiliations have shaped my values and perceptions, leading me to favor perspectives aligned with my community's beliefs. This enculturation reinforces certain biases, such as skepticism toward opposing viewpoints that threaten my group's worldview. Recognizing these influences has heightened my awareness of how group identity can bias my evaluation process.

Impact of the "Believing Game":

The practice of the "Believing Game" has challenged me to consider opposing arguments empathetically, even when I formerly dismissed them. While my core position has remained intact, I find that my capacity to entertain alternative perspectives has improved. This exercise has fostered a more nuanced understanding of the issue, highlighting the importance of openness in critical thinking.

Conclusion:

Engaging in critical evaluation of biases is a continuous and deliberate process. Recognizing my own biases, such as confirmation and availability biases, and understanding the role of enculturation, has significantly influenced my approach to researching issues. The "Believing Game" has helped me appreciate the value of empathy and open-mindedness in developing a well-rounded perspective. Moving forward, I aim to practice these strategies consistently to enhance my critical thinking and decision-making skills.

References

  • Baron, J. (2019). Thinking and Deciding. Cambridge University Press.
  • Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
  • Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson.
  • Procon.org. (2023). About us. https://www.procon.org/about
  • Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation Bias: A Ubiquitous Phenomenon in Many Guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175–220.
  • Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.
  • Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts. Insight Assessment.
  • Mercier, H., & Sperber, D. (2017). The Enigma of Reason. Harvard University Press.
  • Nisbett, R. E. (2003). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently... and Why. Free Press.
  • Fischhoff, B., & Broomell, S. (2020). Judgment and Decision Making. Annual Review of Psychology, 71, 331–355.

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