Day 3 Part 1 Critical Thinking and China Flashcards
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you.
What are the traits of a critical thinker?
Raises vital questions and formulates them clearly
Gathers and assesses relevant info
Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and tests them
Thinks open-mindedly across alternative views
Communicates effectively to solve complex problems
Statement vs. Argument
Statement
Also, “claim,” “assertion,” or “conclusion”
Argument
Proposes a reason (also called a “premise”) for a given conclusion
What is information overload and why does it matter?
Information overload happens when we have too much information from sources like media and social networks. It can make it hard to think critically or make good decisions.
How do you evaluate information?
○ Statement: Claim, assertion, or conclusion
○ Argument: Proposes a reason (also called a premise) for a given conclusion
○ Fact vs Opinion
○ Objective Claim: Is factually true or false, independently of what people think to be true
○ Subjective Claim: Is factually true or false, depending on what people think to be true
Explain the nine intellectual standards used in assessing one’s thinking
○ Clarity: A gateway standard and relevant to all others
○ Accuracy: Addresses the validity of the information at hand
○ Precision: Helps refine information
○ Relevance: Evaluates which parts of a claim, scenario, or problem are most related to the issue at hand
○ Depth: Addresses the complexities of an issue
○ Breadth: Addresses various interpretations of an issue: other points of view, concepts involved, implications to consider
○ Logic: When the combination of thoughts is mutually supporting and makes sense in combination, the thinking is “logical”
○ Significance: which information is the most important? (Identifies Important Information)
○ Fairness: A “gut check” to asses our thinking in terms of fairness to ensure we avoid personal interests, ego, and unjustified assumptions
What’s the difference between objective and subjective claims?
Objective claim: Truth is independent of what people think (fact-based)
Subjective claim: Truth depends on personal beliefs or feelings (opinion-based)
What are intellectual standards in critical thinking?
Intellectual standards are criteria used to assess the quality of thinking and information, including clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, and fairness.
Why is clarity important in critical thinking?
Clarity is a gateway standard. If something is unclear, we can’t determine its accuracy, relevance, or logic.
What do accuracy and precision mean in critical thinking?
Accuracy ensures information is factually true and reflects reality.
Precision involves providing enough detail to avoid vague or generalized statements.
How do relevance, depth, and breadth impact critical thinking?
Relevance helps identify the most related information.
Depth ensures complex issues are explored fully.
Breadth considers different viewpoints and perspectives.
What do logic, significance, and fairness mean in intellectual standards?
Logic: Ideas should support each other and make sense.
Significance: Focus on the most important information.
Fairness: Avoid bias, ego, and unjustified assumptions.
What is confirmation bias?
It’s the tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms one’s existing beliefs, often ignoring contradictory evidence.
How does confirmation bias affect critical thinking?
It leads people to seek confirming information and dismiss opposing facts, reducing objectivity and accuracy in decision-making.
What does Adam Grant say about confirmation bias vs. critical thinking?
“Confirmation bias is twisting facts to fit your beliefs. Critical thinking is bending your beliefs to fit the facts.”
How can social media contribute to confirmation bias and misinformation?
Algorithms tailor content to preferences, reinforcing beliefs. Emotional headlines and fast-paced sharing increase bias, groupthink, and “thinking fast” reactions.
What is a leader’s responsibility in the age of information?
Leaders must critically assess information, separate fact from opinion, recognize bias, and have the emotional intelligence to adjust their views based on facts.
Explain cognitive domain operations and their relationship to disinformation
The goal of Cognitive Domain Operations is to control the adversaries decision making
China
What is the cognitive domain in conflict?
It targets the mind, aiming to influence will, beliefs, thinking, and psychology rather than inflict physical damage.
China
What is the CCP’S (Chinese Communist Party) view on the cognitive domain in warfare?
It sees it as essential to victory, focusing on changing perceptions and will, potentially achieving strategic goals without physical conflict.
China
Where did the concept of the cognitive domain originate?
The U.S. Department of Defense in their 2001 “Network Centric Warfare” report.
China
How does the PLA define cognition?
As the process by which people acquire, process, and apply information and knowledge.
China
What are cognitive domain operations according to the PLA?
Operations targeting the human brain to weaken or dismantle will using psychological vulnerabilities and soft-kill methods.
China
What is the goal of transforming military superiority into political victory?
To break the enemy’s will to fight, achieving victory through willpower dominance rather than just physical destruction.
