R18 Questions

Question 1

Name and describe the three key obstacles the authors cite as standing in the way of human ability to think scientifically.

Answer 1

1. Shortcuts: Human brains were provided with simplistic ways to deal with an overflow of information.
2. Confirmation Bias: We pay more attention to specific findings and interpret evidence to fit our preexisting beliefs.
3. Social Goals: Forms of social motivation can influence the facts when reaching to a conclusion.

Question 2

Give an example of how short-cuts can serve us well, and an example of how they can lead us to bad decisions

Answer 2

Serving us well: A child developing a serious health problem will lead to the parents learning more through medical literature.

Serving us poorly: In Hofling’s 1966 study, shortcuts influenced nurses to rely on the title “Dr.” as a symbol of a person’s authority.

Question 3

In the study of Washburn and Skitka, when the initial “first glance evidence” favored one conclusion, and a more in-depth look favored an alternative conclusion, when did subjects make the effort to look at the more in-depth data?

Answer 3

If the results were contradicting of the beliefs of the gun advocates or were favoring the opposite side

Question 4

What part of the brain becomes active in a person whose opinion differs from his/her social group?

Answer 4

Amygdala

Question 5

Why are messages that evoke fear not useful in changing people’s minds?

Answer 5

They are more likely to increase the tendency to conform.