Essay Prep (Test #1)

Question 1

How Does Manley Characterize the
Mindset of Good Reasoning?

Answer 1

1) Curiosity
2) Thoroughness
3) Openness

Question 2

Curiosity

Answer 2

• allows us to be guided where the evidence leads us, without concern for the outcome.
• approach other views and evidence with indifference, in hopes of discovering how things are in actuality, desire to know the truth
• intrigued by opposing views

Question 3

Curiosity Example

Answer 3

E.g., I recognized a shift in my daily routines, habits and mannerisms, which led me to research my symptoms and consult my doctor. They diagnosed me with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and gave me different treatment options.

Question 4

Thoroughness

Answer 4

• slowly, and deliberately combing through alternative beliefs instead of blindly assuming what’s seen on the surface;
• requires us to dig to deeper levels in consideration of other views

Question 5

Thoroughness Example

Answer 5

E.g., from everyday life: During my stay at the mental health ward, I was assigned a nurse, we were alike as we both carried the same mental/behavioral disorder (OCD). After my discharge I made a declaration that I would become a nurse like her, despite altering my plans and squeezing in chemistry and biology courses to meet the pre-requisites. After deliberately spending a month questioning this choice, I recognized that it was an emotional decision (I was never gifted in the sciences, and was more interested in social, and English based academics). So, after my public affirmation of becoming a nurse, I did some introspection that led me to view it as an emotional response due to my circumstances and reverted to my original career choice.

Question 6

Openness

Answer 6

assuming an impartial position when considering other views; rid of biases, and acknowledging defects in our original/preferred view

(openness to revision) ability to revise our prior beliefs when faced with new evidence,

Question 7

Openness Example

Answer 7

E.g., Being a picky eater and trying new recipes and dishes, expanding my palette

Question 8

What are the three stages of reasoning described by Manley?

Answer 8

1) Search Stage
2) Evaluation Stage
3) Updating Stage

Question 9

Search Stage

Answer 9

divided into two elements:

considering all available alternating views and; the potential supporting evidence ascribed to each view.

Question 10

Search Stage Example

Answer 10

E.g., researching different brands of shoes that are acceptable for outings, school and work

Question 11

Pitfalls/Tendencies in Search (First) Stage

Answer 11

Restricted Search: can counter this stage, a form of confirmation bias where we fail to consider differing views alongside their evidence, which is a monumental hindrance as during this stage we are encouraged to explore and rummage.

Possibility Freeze: a cognitive pitfall that can hinder this stages’ potential and ability; only considering a select few alternative views minutely, engaging in this shortcut can lead to over-confidence in our initial view as we are inaccurately scouting for a broader range of differing views.

Question 12

Evaluation Stage

Answer 12

determine and rate the strength of each identified evidence/supports; eliminates bias and permits us to revise our beliefs in accordance with other beliefs backed by stronger evidence

Question 13

Evaluation Stage Example

Answer 13

E.g., Rating the shoes I’m interested in based on comfortability, appearance, compatibility with style. I initially favored the high-top white Converse; however, they take a long time to wear and are easily dirtied.

Question 14

Pitfalls/Tendencies in Evaluation (Second) Stage

Answer 14

Evidence primary effect: tendency to give early information more evidential weight than later information; influenced by memory, tend to remember things in order

Bias Blindspot: the assumption we’re not being bias when we are; we’re unable to recognize this pitfall due to its non-transparency. This blind spot is tricky because it’s not apparent to our introspection, and we may “feel” we’re being fair and impartial when we’re just blind to it. We’re unconsciously threatened by challenges toward our original view.

Question 15

Updating Stage

Answer 15

adapting and reworking our degree of confidence corresponding to the newly presented evidence. Difficult stage as we are sometimes unwilling to alter our beliefs and trade them for others (possessions hard to part with)

Question 16

Updating Stage Example

Answer 16

E.g., Confidently believed lash serums would help lengthen my eyelashes, but multiple articles and videos demoting this beauty product, listing the effects of eye dryness, iris darkening, shrink fat around eyes, etc., deterred me. Instead opting for a natural remedy.

Question 17

Pitfalls/Tendencies in Updating (Third) Stage

Answer 17

Motivated Reasoning: is an impediment to the updating stage; involves the tendency to prioritize and readily accept evidence that conforms to our preferred beliefs. Consequently, it makes us close-minded which is a direct obstacle to the updating stage as it requires us to reform our views and be accepting of opposing views

Question 18

Pitfall/Tendency for Search Stage

Answer 18

Possibility Freeze

Question 19

Pitfall/Tendency for Evaluation Stage

Answer 19

Evidence Primary Effect

Question 20

Pitfall/Tendency for Updating Stage

Answer 20

Motivated Reasoning