I sent to my intro psych students the original colin ross link, along with mention of his over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed journals as some measure of being smart enough to be able to think critically, along with Bensley piece on the disposition to use that ability. AND an admonition of what happens when we take off the critical thinking cap and put on an emotional one--example: the current mortgage crisis. All those people who couldn't afford to own a house but got into one anyway because of the lure and temptation of blocking out the reasonable, logical, critical thinking aspects of their lives which told them that they weren't ready yet for the next step up. So it's more than openness to experience. In using Halpern's critical thinking test I find that when students go wrong, they get hung up in the emotional verbiage of an issue, rather than examining the quality of the argument for its own merits. hey, sounds like watching election debates on TV.
Of course, if you look at Ross' publications list, even though many are in peer reviewed journals, I am amazed at how many of them promote existence of DID! Should have been a red flag right there. BTW we did talk about the extramission misconception just last week in class and we just had an exam over critical thinking :) Very timely tie-ins. A Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:08:58 -0400 >From: "Gerald Peterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [tips] Colin Ross and his amazing belief perseverance >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > >Yes, I agree Paul, the tendency to use CT skills is important. I think we >need to learn more about the factors; prior belief, traits, and learning history that promote the chance of employing CT in some areas and not others. My own view is that such tendencies are shaped by the groups with which we identify and the ideological frameworks we acquire in socialization to those key reference groups. Dramatic and vivid personal experiences, as well as being impressed with authoritative reference groups, etc., played a role in both Conan Doyle's and Alfred Wallace's lives. My only difference with Bensley is if he thinks he is saying something informative or explanatory when he says these folks simply were not critical thinkers in certain areas because they were not disposed (motivated) to employ their critical thinking skills. This seems to beg the question. Yes, they did not appear to employ their critical thinking in these areas and, yes, it was not because they lacked the smarts. Bensley suggests openness to experience and the degree to which personal experiences are trusted as evidence might be key factors. I agree and think we need to know more about how these orientations are developed. Hope all goes well there, Gary > >Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. >Professor, Psychology >Saginaw Valley State University >University Center, MI 48710 >989-964-4491 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >--- >To make changes to your subscription contact: > >Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
