Scientific Thinking Flashcards
______ ________ is a mode of thinking applied to any scientific subject, content or problem in which the thinker _________ by imposing ___________ of critical thinking
Scientific Thinking
improves the quality of their thinking
intellectual standards
Scientific thinking requires:
* Effective _______
*______ _____ abilities
* _________ to continued skill development
communication
Problem solving
Commitment
4 Selfs of Scientific Thinking
Self-corrective
Self-directed
Self-disciplined
Self-monitored
- Avoid jumping to conclusions with limited information
- Never take anything for granted
- Never consider a judgement better than the available information
- Treat what seems logical or plausible as supposition until proven
- Consider something as proof only if it has consistently repeated results, and not from a one-off study.
Why Scientific Thinking?
Clarity
Accuracy
Precision
Relevance
Depth
Breadth
Logic
Significance
Fairness
Intellectual Standards
Understandable
The meaning can be easily grasped
CLARITY
Correct or true.
Free from errors or distortions
Accuracy
Contains the necessary details needed to solve the problem.
Precision
Directly connected to or directly relating to the subject or problem at hand.
Relevance
Containing complexities and multiple relationships.
Depth
Encompassing multiple viewpoints.
Breadth
No contradictions in the parts or details of the problem.
Logic
Focus on the important details.
Not distracted by trivial elements.
Significance
Justifiable, not self-serving or one-sided.
Fairness
HUMILITY
COURAGE
EMPATHY
INTEGRITY
PERSEVERANCE
CONFIDENCE IN REASON
AUTONOMY
Intellectual Dispositions
Sensitivity to what you do or do not know.
HUMILITY
Being aware of own biases and self-deceptive tendencies
HUMILITY
How do the beliefs, prejudices or biases I have uncritically accepted keep me from thinking scientifically?
Humility
Disposition to question beliefs you hold dearly or feel strongly about.
COURAGE
Willingness to express your views, even when they are unpopular.
COURAGE
To what extent have I analyzed the beliefs I hold that may impede by ability to think scientifically?
COURAGE
To what extent have I analyzed the beliefs I hold that may impede by ability to think scientifically?
COURAGE
How do I change what I do if my belief is unjustified?
COURAGE
Awareness of need to actively entertain views that differ from your own,
Especially the ones you strongly disagree with.
EMPATHY
Accurately reconstruct opponents’ viewpoints and reasoning to assess your own premise and assumptions.
EMPATHY
To what extent do I accurately represent the scientific viewpoints I disagree with?
EMPATHY
Ability to hold yourself to the same intellectual standards you expect from others.
INTEGRITY
Do not expect or foster double standards.
INTEGRITY
To what extent do I strive to eliminate self- deception when reasoning through scientific issues?
INTEGRITY
Do I ask more of others than I am willing to do myself?
INTEGRITY
Ability to work through complexities despite the frustration inherent in the task.
PERSEVERANCE
To what extent do I work my way through scientific complexities, or do I tend to give up when I experience difficulty?
PERSEVERANCE
Using reason as the fundamental criteria by which to judge acceptance or rejection of a position.
CONFIDENCE IN REASON
Using reason as the fundamental criteria by which to judge acceptance or rejection of a position.
CONFIDENCE IN REASON
Am I willing to change my position when the scientific evidence leads to a more reasonable position? (see Courage)
CONFIDENCE IN REASON
Thinking for oneself but adhering to standards of rationality.
AUTONOMY
Not uncritically accepting the viewpoints of others.
AUTONOMY
Do I think through scientific issues on my own or do I merely accept the apparent scientific views of others?
AUTONOMY
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCIENTIFIC MIND
What Scientists Do
What Scientists Do?
Observe - What factors are affecting the phenomena?
What Scientists Do
Design Experiments
When Scientists Design experiments they ask?
- Is the question plausible?
- Can the variables be controlled?
When Scientists Design experiments they also …
Determine, examine and define the variables or mechanistic quality of the phenomena being observed.
What Scientists Do
Strive for Exact Measurement
When Scientists Strive for Exact Measurement they …
Determine precise quantitative relationships between relevant factors and their observed effects
A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method
Pseudoscientific Thinking
We do not naturally think scientifically, though we may think we do.
* Do you always recognize your assumptions and biases?
* Do you always recognize the source of your ideas?
* They said ….
* I heard or read somewhere ….
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
Training in scientific thinking creates awareness in our own _____-_______ _______
pseudo-scientific thinking.
Naturally believe in intuitive perceptions - however inaccurate
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
Do not use intellectual standards in thinking, but instead tend to use self- centered psychological standards to determine beliefs
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
Displays a remarkable and characteristic indifference to fact.
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
Rarely ever makes an independent investigation to check sources.
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
Uses unverifiable eyewitness testimony, stories, hearsay, rumor, and dubious anecdotes.
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
I believe that my beliefs are true, though I have never questioned their basis.
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
or
I believe it
I assume the dominant beliefs of the groups I belong to are true, though I have never questioned their basis.
Pseudo-Scientific Thinking
or
We believe it
review last chart pg 23
