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What are your reflexes to reinforce a reasoned approach, in the face of overabundant or even false and misleading information? What is the first step to rationally analyze a shocking statement. And the last? Do you know how to exercise your critical thinking?
Inspired by May Contain Lies by Alex Edmans (Penguin Business, 2024)
What is the first step to rationally analyze a shocking claim?
Answer A: Believe it immediately if it’s from a reliable source.
Answer B: Share it to see other peoples’ reactions.
Answer C: Verify the claim’s source and context.
Answer D: Dismiss it if it contradicts your beliefs.
Right !
Answer: C
The first step is to identify the source and context of a claim. This helps you understand its motivations and check if it’s based on solid facts or just opinions. Avoid relying solely on a source’s reputation without further investigation, as even reputable sources can sometimes be wrong or interpret data in a biased way.
The first step is to identify the source and context of a claim. This helps you understand its motivations and check if it’s based on solid facts or just opinions. Avoid relying solely on a source’s reputation without further investigation, as even reputable sources can sometimes be wrong or interpret data in a biased way.
Wrong !
Answer: C
The first step is to identify the source and context of a claim. This helps you understand its motivations and check if it’s based on solid facts or just opinions. Avoid relying solely on a source’s reputation without further investigation, as even reputable sources can sometimes be wrong or interpret data in a biased way.
The first step is to identify the source and context of a claim. This helps you understand its motivations and check if it’s based on solid facts or just opinions. Avoid relying solely on a source’s reputation without further investigation, as even reputable sources can sometimes be wrong or interpret data in a biased way.
If a study confirms your beliefs, what should you do?
Answer A: Share it immediately, as it validates your opinions.
Answer B: Examine it with skepticism to avoid confirmation bias.
Answer C: Ignore other studies that contradict it.
Answer D: Add unverified elements to strengthen it.
Right !
Answer: B
Even if a study supports your beliefs, it’s crucial to scrutinize it thoroughly to avoid confirmation bias. This bias makes us blindly accept information that supports our views. For a rational analysis, examine the study’s methodology, look for counterexamples, and check if other research backs the same conclusions.
Even if a study supports your beliefs, it’s crucial to scrutinize it thoroughly to avoid confirmation bias. This bias makes us blindly accept information that supports our views. For a rational analysis, examine the study’s methodology, look for counterexamples, and check if other research backs the same conclusions.
Wrong !
Answer: B
Even if a study supports your beliefs, it’s crucial to scrutinize it thoroughly to avoid confirmation bias. This bias makes us blindly accept information that supports our views. For a rational analysis, examine the study’s methodology, look for counterexamples, and check if other research backs the same conclusions.
Even if a study supports your beliefs, it’s crucial to scrutinize it thoroughly to avoid confirmation bias. This bias makes us blindly accept information that supports our views. For a rational analysis, examine the study’s methodology, look for counterexamples, and check if other research backs the same conclusions.
If information triggers a strong emotional reaction, what should you do?
Answer A: Share it immediately to raise awareness.
Answer B: Take a step back to evaluate it rationally.
Answer C: Dismiss it as false.
Answer D: Believe it without verification because it feels right.
Right !
Answer: B
Information that provokes a strong emotional response often requires more verification. Emotions can bias our judgment, leading us to share or believe information blindly. Taking a step back allows you to evaluate the information more rationally and confirm if it’s supported by facts and credible sources.
Information that provokes a strong emotional response often requires more verification. Emotions can bias our judgment, leading us to share or believe information blindly. Taking a step back allows you to evaluate the information more rationally and confirm if it’s supported by facts and credible sources.
Wrong !
Answer: B
Information that provokes a strong emotional response often requires more verification. Emotions can bias our judgment, leading us to share or believe information blindly. Taking a step back allows you to evaluate the information more rationally and confirm if it’s supported by facts and credible sources.
Information that provokes a strong emotional response often requires more verification. Emotions can bias our judgment, leading us to share or believe information blindly. Taking a step back allows you to evaluate the information more rationally and confirm if it’s supported by facts and credible sources.
If a study uses a small sample to draw conclusions about a broad topic, what should you do?
Answer A: Accept the conclusion if the study is well publicized.
Answer B: Criticize the study for its limited methodology.
Answer C: Treat the study as a preliminary hypothesis.
Answer D: Ignore the study because it’s untrustworthy.
Right !
Answer: C
A study with a small sample may offer interesting insights, but it shouldn’t be used to draw general conclusions. Viewing it as a preliminary hypothesis allows for a cautious perspective and leaves room for further research with larger, more representative samples before making definitive conclusions.
A study with a small sample may offer interesting insights, but it shouldn’t be used to draw general conclusions. Viewing it as a preliminary hypothesis allows for a cautious perspective and leaves room for further research with larger, more representative samples before making definitive conclusions.
Wrong !
Answer: C
A study with a small sample may offer interesting insights, but it shouldn’t be used to draw general conclusions. Viewing it as a preliminary hypothesis allows for a cautious perspective and leaves room for further research with larger, more representative samples before making definitive conclusions.
A study with a small sample may offer interesting insights, but it shouldn’t be used to draw general conclusions. Viewing it as a preliminary hypothesis allows for a cautious perspective and leaves room for further research with larger, more representative samples before making definitive conclusions.
What is the best way to test a hypothesis you want to believe?
Answer A: Only seek evidence that confirms it.
Answer B: Also consider evidence that might contradict it.
Answer C: Believe it if experts seem to agree.
Answer D: Publish an article confirming it before testing.
Right !
Answer: B
To test a hypothesis rationally, actively seek out evidence that might disprove it. This counters confirmation bias and tests the hypothesis’s strength by evaluating counterexamples. If it withstands criticism and opposing evidence, it becomes more credible.
To test a hypothesis rationally, actively seek out evidence that might disprove it. This counters confirmation bias and tests the hypothesis’s strength by evaluating counterexamples. If it withstands criticism and opposing evidence, it becomes more credible.
Wrong !
Answer: B
To test a hypothesis rationally, actively seek out evidence that might disprove it. This counters confirmation bias and tests the hypothesis’s strength by evaluating counterexamples. If it withstands criticism and opposing evidence, it becomes more credible.
To test a hypothesis rationally, actively seek out evidence that might disprove it. This counters confirmation bias and tests the hypothesis’s strength by evaluating counterexamples. If it withstands criticism and opposing evidence, it becomes more credible.
6. When a statistic is widely cited, what should you do?
Answer A: Believe it because it’s popular.
Answer B: Verify the study’s source and methodology.
Answer C: Dismiss it because it’s probably exaggerated.
Answer D: Use it to convince others.
Right !
Answer: B
Even if a statistic is popular, that doesn’t guarantee its reliability. Popularity can stem from oversimplification or quoting out of context. It’s always wise to verify the source and methodology used to determine if the statistic is interpreted correctly and represents the broader population.
Even if a statistic is popular, that doesn’t guarantee its reliability. Popularity can stem from oversimplification or quoting out of context. It’s always wise to verify the source and methodology used to determine if the statistic is interpreted correctly and represents the broader population.
Wrong !
Answer: B
Even if a statistic is popular, that doesn’t guarantee its reliability. Popularity can stem from oversimplification or quoting out of context. It’s always wise to verify the source and methodology used to determine if the statistic is interpreted correctly and represents the broader population.
Even if a statistic is popular, that doesn’t guarantee its reliability. Popularity can stem from oversimplification or quoting out of context. It’s always wise to verify the source and methodology used to determine if the statistic is interpreted correctly and represents the broader population.
When faced with a simplistic theory explaining a complex phenomenon, what should you do?
Answer A: Accept it because simple explanations are often correct.
Answer B: Dismiss it immediately as too simplistic.
Answer C: Examine if it overlooks essential factors.
Answer D: Share it to see other peoples’ opinions.
Right !
Answer: C
A simplistic explanation for a complex phenomenon may ignore crucial factors that influence outcomes. For rational analysis, it’s essential to evaluate if the theory considers all relevant elements or if it oversimplifies the issue. Complex phenomena often require nuanced analysis for full understanding.
A simplistic explanation for a complex phenomenon may ignore crucial factors that influence outcomes. For rational analysis, it’s essential to evaluate if the theory considers all relevant elements or if it oversimplifies the issue. Complex phenomena often require nuanced analysis for full understanding.
Wrong !
Answer: C
A simplistic explanation for a complex phenomenon may ignore crucial factors that influence outcomes. For rational analysis, it’s essential to evaluate if the theory considers all relevant elements or if it oversimplifies the issue. Complex phenomena often require nuanced analysis for full understanding.
A simplistic explanation for a complex phenomenon may ignore crucial factors that influence outcomes. For rational analysis, it’s essential to evaluate if the theory considers all relevant elements or if it oversimplifies the issue. Complex phenomena often require nuanced analysis for full understanding.
What should you do if a study suggests that eating ice cream increases your chances of becoming an astronaut?
Answer A: Start an ice cream diet and apply to NASA immediately.
Answer B: Look for other confounding factors, like season or astronauts’ food preferences.
Answer C: Firmly believe the study because it confirms your love for ice cream.
Answer D: Ignore the study because it seems improbable.
Right !
Answer: B
As tempting as the idea might be, such a correlation is likely due to external factors. For instance, ice cream consumption rises in summer, as do some space recruitment campaigns or other activities. Searching for hidden variables helps assess the validity of studies that might otherwise fall into the correlation-causation trap.
As tempting as the idea might be, such a correlation is likely due to external factors. For instance, ice cream consumption rises in summer, as do some space recruitment campaigns or other activities. Searching for hidden variables helps assess the validity of studies that might otherwise fall into the correlation-causation trap.
Wrong !
Answer: B
As tempting as the idea might be, such a correlation is likely due to external factors. For instance, ice cream consumption rises in summer, as do some space recruitment campaigns or other activities. Searching for hidden variables helps assess the validity of studies that might otherwise fall into the correlation-causation trap.
As tempting as the idea might be, such a correlation is likely due to external factors. For instance, ice cream consumption rises in summer, as do some space recruitment campaigns or other activities. Searching for hidden variables helps assess the validity of studies that might otherwise fall into the correlation-causation trap.
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