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A study claims black cats bring good luck if you talk to them on Friday the 13th. What’s your reaction? Enjoy this 8-question quizz—on critical thinking and the rational analysis of information.
Inspired by May Contain Lies, by Alex Edmans, (Penguin Business, 2024)
An article claims that wearing yellow socks improves math skills. What do you do?
Answer A: Buy yellow socks for the next exam.
Answer B: Ask if the study accounts for factors like practice or effort.
Answer C: Share the info with all your friends immediately.
Answer D: Persuade your school to make yellow socks mandatory.
Right !
Answer: B
Before accepting the idea that yellow socks influence math skills, check whether other factors were studied. Perhaps those who wear yellow socks also practiced more. Analyzing outside variables helps distinguish correlation from causation and prevents jumping to absurd conclusions.
Before accepting the idea that yellow socks influence math skills, check whether other factors were studied. Perhaps those who wear yellow socks also practiced more. Analyzing outside variables helps distinguish correlation from causation and prevents jumping to absurd conclusions.
Wrong !
Answer: B
Before accepting the idea that yellow socks influence math skills, check whether other factors were studied. Perhaps those who wear yellow socks also practiced more. Analyzing outside variables helps distinguish correlation from causation and prevents jumping to absurd conclusions.
Before accepting the idea that yellow socks influence math skills, check whether other factors were studied. Perhaps those who wear yellow socks also practiced more. Analyzing outside variables helps distinguish correlation from causation and prevents jumping to absurd conclusions.
An influencer claims that eating raw spaghetti improves memory. What should you do?
Answer A: Eat raw spaghetti before every important meeting.
Answer B: Recommend raw spaghetti to all your friends.
Answer C: Believe it immediately and buy tons of spaghetti.
Answer D: Check the sources and studies supporting this claim.
Right !
Answer: D
Verify whether this claim is backed by serious research. Raw spaghetti may sound funny, but human memory is influenced by factors like sleep, mental training, and overall nutrition. It’s best to seek solid evidence before adopting such a strange recommendation!
Verify whether this claim is backed by serious research. Raw spaghetti may sound funny, but human memory is influenced by factors like sleep, mental training, and overall nutrition. It’s best to seek solid evidence before adopting such a strange recommendation!
Wrong !
Answer: D
Verify whether this claim is backed by serious research. Raw spaghetti may sound funny, but human memory is influenced by factors like sleep, mental training, and overall nutrition. It’s best to seek solid evidence before adopting such a strange recommendation!
Verify whether this claim is backed by serious research. Raw spaghetti may sound funny, but human memory is influenced by factors like sleep, mental training, and overall nutrition. It’s best to seek solid evidence before adopting such a strange recommendation!
A study claims black cats bring good luck if you talk to them on Friday the 13th. What’s your reaction?
Answer A: Find the first black cat and strike up a conversation.
Answer B: First check if the study is a joke.
Answer C: Use the study to encourage everyone to adopt a black cat.
Answer D: Declare Friday the 13th your new favorite day.
Right !
Answer: B
Faced with such strange claims, it’s reasonable to check if the study is serious or just tongue-in-cheek. Some cultural myths or superstitions affect perceptions without any scientific basis. Keeping a critical mindset and not taking such claims at face value is a good approach. See if this type of unfounded claim has already slipped into your beliefs...
Faced with such strange claims, it’s reasonable to check if the study is serious or just tongue-in-cheek. Some cultural myths or superstitions affect perceptions without any scientific basis. Keeping a critical mindset and not taking such claims at face value is a good approach. See if this type of unfounded claim has already slipped into your beliefs...
Wrong !
Answer: B
Faced with such strange claims, it’s reasonable to check if the study is serious or just tongue-in-cheek. Some cultural myths or superstitions affect perceptions without any scientific basis. Keeping a critical mindset and not taking such claims at face value is a good approach. See if this type of unfounded claim has already slipped into your beliefs...
Faced with such strange claims, it’s reasonable to check if the study is serious or just tongue-in-cheek. Some cultural myths or superstitions affect perceptions without any scientific basis. Keeping a critical mindset and not taking such claims at face value is a good approach. See if this type of unfounded claim has already slipped into your beliefs...
According to a blog, juggling oranges makes you smarter. What do you do?
Answer A: Check if the study talks about coordination or intelligence.
Answer B: Start practicing juggling to boost your IQ.
Answer C: Believe the claim immediately and become a full-time juggler.
Answer D: Buy a bag of oranges to juggle every morning.
Right !
Answer: A
This claim may be confusing: improving coordination doesn’t necessarily increase intelligence. Rational analysis means checking if the study focused on overall cognitive skills or just motor coordination. Don’t confuse specific skills with general intellectual gains!
This claim may be confusing: improving coordination doesn’t necessarily increase intelligence. Rational analysis means checking if the study focused on overall cognitive skills or just motor coordination. Don’t confuse specific skills with general intellectual gains!
Wrong !
Answer: A
This claim may be confusing: improving coordination doesn’t necessarily increase intelligence. Rational analysis means checking if the study focused on overall cognitive skills or just motor coordination. Don’t confuse specific skills with general intellectual gains!
This claim may be confusing: improving coordination doesn’t necessarily increase intelligence. Rational analysis means checking if the study focused on overall cognitive skills or just motor coordination. Don’t confuse specific skills with general intellectual gains!
A study announces that sleeping upside down boosts creativity. How do you react?
Answer A: Rearrange your bedroom to sleep upside down.
Answer B: Look for serious studies on sleep position and brain effects.
Answer C: Spread this claim without any further verification.
Answer D: Use the info as an excuse to sleep at work.
Right !
Answer: B
Before changing your sleep setup, look for serious studies on the link between sleep position and creativity. Wacky ideas can attract attention, but without strong evidence, they remain purely speculative. Creativity is influenced by factors like relaxation and mental stimulation.
Before changing your sleep setup, look for serious studies on the link between sleep position and creativity. Wacky ideas can attract attention, but without strong evidence, they remain purely speculative. Creativity is influenced by factors like relaxation and mental stimulation.
Wrong !
Answer: B
Before changing your sleep setup, look for serious studies on the link between sleep position and creativity. Wacky ideas can attract attention, but without strong evidence, they remain purely speculative. Creativity is influenced by factors like relaxation and mental stimulation.
Before changing your sleep setup, look for serious studies on the link between sleep position and creativity. Wacky ideas can attract attention, but without strong evidence, they remain purely speculative. Creativity is influenced by factors like relaxation and mental stimulation.
A viral post says holding a wooden fork reduces stress. What do you do?
Answer A: Always carry a wooden fork with you.
Answer B: Start a support group based on the wooden fork.
Answer C: Ask if the post cites scientific sources.
Answer D: Try replacing your therapist with a wooden fork.
Right !
Answer: C
Although harmless, a claim without scientific proof is still suspicious. Stress is a complex reaction, influenced by practices like breathing exercises and meditation. A wooden fork might calm you if you believe it, but that’s likely a result of the placebo effect rather than a scientific solution.
Although harmless, a claim without scientific proof is still suspicious. Stress is a complex reaction, influenced by practices like breathing exercises and meditation. A wooden fork might calm you if you believe it, but that’s likely a result of the placebo effect rather than a scientific solution.
Wrong !
Answer: C
Although harmless, a claim without scientific proof is still suspicious. Stress is a complex reaction, influenced by practices like breathing exercises and meditation. A wooden fork might calm you if you believe it, but that’s likely a result of the placebo effect rather than a scientific solution.
Although harmless, a claim without scientific proof is still suspicious. Stress is a complex reaction, influenced by practices like breathing exercises and meditation. A wooden fork might calm you if you believe it, but that’s likely a result of the placebo effect rather than a scientific solution.
An article claims reading upside down improves eyesight. How do you react?
Answer A: Check if the article comes from a reliable source.
Answer B: Practice reading all your books upside down.
Answer C: Share this technique with all your friends.
Answer D: Buy books specifically written upside down.
Right !
Answer: A
Reading upside down may seem innovative, but that doesn’t mean it improves vision. The first step is to see if the article is published by a credible source and if studies validate this claim. If it’s merely a brain exercise, it’s best to stay skeptical.
Reading upside down may seem innovative, but that doesn’t mean it improves vision. The first step is to see if the article is published by a credible source and if studies validate this claim. If it’s merely a brain exercise, it’s best to stay skeptical.
Wrong !
Answer: A
Reading upside down may seem innovative, but that doesn’t mean it improves vision. The first step is to see if the article is published by a credible source and if studies validate this claim. If it’s merely a brain exercise, it’s best to stay skeptical.
Reading upside down may seem innovative, but that doesn’t mean it improves vision. The first step is to see if the article is published by a credible source and if studies validate this claim. If it’s merely a brain exercise, it’s best to stay skeptical.
A study suggests drinking water while standing on one leg improves digestion. What do you do?
Answer A: Get used to drinking water only while standing on one leg.
Answer B: Check the study’s methodology and data.
Answer C: Turn this practice into a daily ritual.
Answer D: Think about making it the latest health trend.
Right !
Answer: B
When faced with such unusual claims, it’s essential to review the study’s methodology and data. Digestion depends on physiological factors, and posture is likely not one of them. Rational analysis means checking if reliable research actually supports this idea before following it blindly.
When faced with such unusual claims, it’s essential to review the study’s methodology and data. Digestion depends on physiological factors, and posture is likely not one of them. Rational analysis means checking if reliable research actually supports this idea before following it blindly.
Wrong !
Answer: B
When faced with such unusual claims, it’s essential to review the study’s methodology and data. Digestion depends on physiological factors, and posture is likely not one of them. Rational analysis means checking if reliable research actually supports this idea before following it blindly.
When faced with such unusual claims, it’s essential to review the study’s methodology and data. Digestion depends on physiological factors, and posture is likely not one of them. Rational analysis means checking if reliable research actually supports this idea before following it blindly.
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