Wk 3 discussion – social errors, bias, and fallacies

In the first 2 weeks of this course, you learned about factors that can influence the effectiveness of critical thinking. This week, you learn about the effects of social errors, biases, and fallacies. These elements are helpful in persuasion.

After completing the Learning Activities for the week, please respond to all the inquires below. Your response should be a minimum of 175 words total (approx. 50 words per question).

• Review the Four Social Errors and Biases presented in Ch. 4 of THiNK: Critical Thinking and Logic Skills for Everyday Life. Which of the social errors/biases in the book are you most affected by? How can you overcome this social error/bias?
• Ch. 5 describes fallacies (when an argument seems to be correct but isn’t). What is one fallacy you have personally used or seen in an argument? Discuss how critical thinking skills will make you less likely to be influenced by arguments that are based on fallacies and faulty reasoning.
• Reflect on the learning activities, concepts, ideas, and topics covered this week. Discuss the most interesting activity or concept you learned this week and mention any concepts that are still a bit confusing to you or that you have questions about.