Ch01
Student: ___________________________________________________________________________
1. What generalization is suggested by the Milgram experiment and the Stanford University prison
experiment?
A. Many people will uncritically follow the commands of those in authority.
B. Many people have an innate sense of right and wrong and will temper orders from authority figures
accordingly.
C. Many people are naturally sadistic and will act out when given the chance.
D. Many people will question those in authority.
2. What resources did the participants in the Milgram and Stanford University prison experiments who
resisted hurting their subjects have that the other participants probably did not?
A. toughness of character
B. a compassionate heart
C. good critical thinking skills
D. a passive spirit
3. Critical thinking skills have been found to help us
A. have better relationships.
B. avoid making bad decisions.
C. have enhanced self-esteem and a sense of well-being.
D. All these answers are correct.
4. When is an opinion reasonable?
A. when it is correct
B. when it has logical support
C. when it is believed by the majority of people
D. when it is scientific
5. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the first stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
6. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the second stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
7. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the third stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
,8. Seeking out only evidence that supports one's views and dismissing as unreliable statistics that contradict
those views is known as
A. confirmation bias.
B. dualism.
C. interpretive bias.
D. confirmation.
9. Having good research and inquiry skills involves being able to
A. find the correct solutions.
B. communicate with empathy.
C. use good laboratory technique.
D. ask the right questions.
10. Name a necessary element of effective decision making.
A. setting short-term and long-term goals
B. developing a realistic plan for achieving a goal
C. building flexibility into a plan
D. All these answers are correct.
11. Effective critical thinkers are able to balance belief and doubt with an attitude of
A. confidence.
B. obedience to authority.
C. reflective skepticism.
D. tolerance.
12. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, hundreds of people died who might otherwise have been
saved, due to what critical thinking error?
A. lack of preparedness
B. fortifying the wrong structures in preparation for the storm
C. denial
D. political rationalization
13. Why did the Zen master Suzuki believe we must have a "beginner's mind"?
A. because the beginner's mind is a critically open mind
B. because just as you cannot add more water to a cup that is full to the brim, you cannot add knowledge
to a mind that's full
C because the "beginner" has a meditative brain that is more neurologically active and resilient in
. plasticity than the brains of those who do not meditate
D. All these answers are correct.
14. Who said "Someone is happy, when his plans are going well and his more important aspirations are being
fulfilled"?
A. John Steward Mill
B. John Rawls
C. Socrates
D. None of these answers is correct.
15. What typically happens when someone openly questions and challenges the entrenched traditional
practices and beliefs of their society?
A. They are ridiculed, shunned, attacked, or imprisoned.
B. They are warmly received.
C. They are esteemed.
D. They are ignored.
16. Who said "…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor"?
A. Socrates
B. John Rawls
C. Martin Luther King, Jr.
D. John Stewart Mill
,17. Rather than being passively carried through life, critical thinkers are
A. aggressive.
B. steadfast and immovable, not being affected by anything or initiating anything on their own.
C. proactive.
D. None of these answers is correct.
18. Al Gore, in his book Assault on Reason (2007), claims that when there is an increase in the power of the
government and an increase in the control of the media by the wealthy, there is a corresponding
A. decrease in public participation in political dialogue.
B. decrease in money spent on education.
C. increase in public participation in political dialogue.
D. increase in money spent on education.
19. The model that breaks the critical thinking process down into three recursive and dynamic levels is
called
A. the critique of practical reason.
B. the three-tier model.
C. the three noble truths.
D. the critique of critical truths.
20. Because rationalization often involves ignoring claims that compete with our opinions, we are in danger
of engaging in a type of resistance to critical thinking called
A. doublethink.
B. avoidance.
C. denial.
D. anger.
21. The word critical is derived from the Greek word kritikos, which means "discernment," "ability to judge,"
or "decision-making."
True False
22. Having good analytic communication, good research skills, and advanced cognitive development are
factors that shape how well a person thinks analytically, but not critically.
True False
23. "Sophomoritis" is the term educators apply to people who are immature and over-confident.
True False
24. Some people think that the cognitive developmental stage known as "relativism"—viz. when students
stop thinking in "black and white" ways and swing to the other extreme of thinking there are no right and
wrong answers at all—is really not a genuine philosophical position at all, but rather a means of avoiding
having one's ideas challenged.
True False
25. Some people either defer to others or fail to take a position on a controversial issue because they are
unable to evaluate conflicting views.
True False
26. Albert Einstein, when he developed his theory of relativity, used the method of "suspension of disbelief"
regarding the generally accepted belief that time is absolute.
True False
27. The creative spirit does not necessarily have to be one that includes a willingness to take risks or cope
with failure.
True False
28. Critical thinkers do not reject, without sound reason, views that conflict with their own.
True False
, 29. The War of 1812 is an example of failed military strategy, i.e. a subgroup of critical thinking strategy, in
that the U.S. did not adequately assess the Canadian response to the U.S. mission to annex Canada.
True False
30. Although some people's lives are controlled by the circumstances they happen to find themselves in, the
lives of the majority of people are controlled by their own choices.
True False
31. According to the 2009 Freshman Survey, the two most important objectives for entering college students
are contraception and finding an enjoyable career.
True False
32. The Meyers-Briggs test is an aptitude and personality test designed to help people discover which careers
might be the most fulfilling for them.
True False
33. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) refused to support the Fifteenth Amendment, which gave
voting rights to black men but not to women, she argued that the Amendment had the logical flaw known
as "false dilemma."
True False
34. There is a strong correlation between self-esteem and good critical thinking skills.
True False
35. People with low self-esteem, although they are less successful in life, are not thereby more vulnerable to
manipulation by others.
True False
36. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the most important characteristic the citizens of our nation should have is the
art of reasoning.
True False
37. In a poll of Princeton University freshmen in 1938, Adolf Hitler was named as the "greatest living
person."
True False
38. Resistance, defined as "the use of immature defense mechanisms that are rigid, impulsive, maladaptive,
and nonanalytical" can act as a barrier to critical thinking.
True False
39. Clichés help simplify the issue and get to the heart of the matter that is to be critically analyzed.
True False
40. The fact that many Americans are in denial about the possibility that the world oil reserves may soon run
out is a classic example of a barrier to critical thinking.
True False
Student: ___________________________________________________________________________
1. What generalization is suggested by the Milgram experiment and the Stanford University prison
experiment?
A. Many people will uncritically follow the commands of those in authority.
B. Many people have an innate sense of right and wrong and will temper orders from authority figures
accordingly.
C. Many people are naturally sadistic and will act out when given the chance.
D. Many people will question those in authority.
2. What resources did the participants in the Milgram and Stanford University prison experiments who
resisted hurting their subjects have that the other participants probably did not?
A. toughness of character
B. a compassionate heart
C. good critical thinking skills
D. a passive spirit
3. Critical thinking skills have been found to help us
A. have better relationships.
B. avoid making bad decisions.
C. have enhanced self-esteem and a sense of well-being.
D. All these answers are correct.
4. When is an opinion reasonable?
A. when it is correct
B. when it has logical support
C. when it is believed by the majority of people
D. when it is scientific
5. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the first stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
6. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the second stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
7. William Perry, and then later researchers, studied the cognitive development of college students. When
the results are simplified into a developmental continuum of three stages, the third stage is called
A. relativism.
B. commitment.
C. dualism.
D. None of these answers is correct.
,8. Seeking out only evidence that supports one's views and dismissing as unreliable statistics that contradict
those views is known as
A. confirmation bias.
B. dualism.
C. interpretive bias.
D. confirmation.
9. Having good research and inquiry skills involves being able to
A. find the correct solutions.
B. communicate with empathy.
C. use good laboratory technique.
D. ask the right questions.
10. Name a necessary element of effective decision making.
A. setting short-term and long-term goals
B. developing a realistic plan for achieving a goal
C. building flexibility into a plan
D. All these answers are correct.
11. Effective critical thinkers are able to balance belief and doubt with an attitude of
A. confidence.
B. obedience to authority.
C. reflective skepticism.
D. tolerance.
12. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, hundreds of people died who might otherwise have been
saved, due to what critical thinking error?
A. lack of preparedness
B. fortifying the wrong structures in preparation for the storm
C. denial
D. political rationalization
13. Why did the Zen master Suzuki believe we must have a "beginner's mind"?
A. because the beginner's mind is a critically open mind
B. because just as you cannot add more water to a cup that is full to the brim, you cannot add knowledge
to a mind that's full
C because the "beginner" has a meditative brain that is more neurologically active and resilient in
. plasticity than the brains of those who do not meditate
D. All these answers are correct.
14. Who said "Someone is happy, when his plans are going well and his more important aspirations are being
fulfilled"?
A. John Steward Mill
B. John Rawls
C. Socrates
D. None of these answers is correct.
15. What typically happens when someone openly questions and challenges the entrenched traditional
practices and beliefs of their society?
A. They are ridiculed, shunned, attacked, or imprisoned.
B. They are warmly received.
C. They are esteemed.
D. They are ignored.
16. Who said "…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor"?
A. Socrates
B. John Rawls
C. Martin Luther King, Jr.
D. John Stewart Mill
,17. Rather than being passively carried through life, critical thinkers are
A. aggressive.
B. steadfast and immovable, not being affected by anything or initiating anything on their own.
C. proactive.
D. None of these answers is correct.
18. Al Gore, in his book Assault on Reason (2007), claims that when there is an increase in the power of the
government and an increase in the control of the media by the wealthy, there is a corresponding
A. decrease in public participation in political dialogue.
B. decrease in money spent on education.
C. increase in public participation in political dialogue.
D. increase in money spent on education.
19. The model that breaks the critical thinking process down into three recursive and dynamic levels is
called
A. the critique of practical reason.
B. the three-tier model.
C. the three noble truths.
D. the critique of critical truths.
20. Because rationalization often involves ignoring claims that compete with our opinions, we are in danger
of engaging in a type of resistance to critical thinking called
A. doublethink.
B. avoidance.
C. denial.
D. anger.
21. The word critical is derived from the Greek word kritikos, which means "discernment," "ability to judge,"
or "decision-making."
True False
22. Having good analytic communication, good research skills, and advanced cognitive development are
factors that shape how well a person thinks analytically, but not critically.
True False
23. "Sophomoritis" is the term educators apply to people who are immature and over-confident.
True False
24. Some people think that the cognitive developmental stage known as "relativism"—viz. when students
stop thinking in "black and white" ways and swing to the other extreme of thinking there are no right and
wrong answers at all—is really not a genuine philosophical position at all, but rather a means of avoiding
having one's ideas challenged.
True False
25. Some people either defer to others or fail to take a position on a controversial issue because they are
unable to evaluate conflicting views.
True False
26. Albert Einstein, when he developed his theory of relativity, used the method of "suspension of disbelief"
regarding the generally accepted belief that time is absolute.
True False
27. The creative spirit does not necessarily have to be one that includes a willingness to take risks or cope
with failure.
True False
28. Critical thinkers do not reject, without sound reason, views that conflict with their own.
True False
, 29. The War of 1812 is an example of failed military strategy, i.e. a subgroup of critical thinking strategy, in
that the U.S. did not adequately assess the Canadian response to the U.S. mission to annex Canada.
True False
30. Although some people's lives are controlled by the circumstances they happen to find themselves in, the
lives of the majority of people are controlled by their own choices.
True False
31. According to the 2009 Freshman Survey, the two most important objectives for entering college students
are contraception and finding an enjoyable career.
True False
32. The Meyers-Briggs test is an aptitude and personality test designed to help people discover which careers
might be the most fulfilling for them.
True False
33. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) refused to support the Fifteenth Amendment, which gave
voting rights to black men but not to women, she argued that the Amendment had the logical flaw known
as "false dilemma."
True False
34. There is a strong correlation between self-esteem and good critical thinking skills.
True False
35. People with low self-esteem, although they are less successful in life, are not thereby more vulnerable to
manipulation by others.
True False
36. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the most important characteristic the citizens of our nation should have is the
art of reasoning.
True False
37. In a poll of Princeton University freshmen in 1938, Adolf Hitler was named as the "greatest living
person."
True False
38. Resistance, defined as "the use of immature defense mechanisms that are rigid, impulsive, maladaptive,
and nonanalytical" can act as a barrier to critical thinking.
True False
39. Clichés help simplify the issue and get to the heart of the matter that is to be critically analyzed.
True False
40. The fact that many Americans are in denial about the possibility that the world oil reserves may soon run
out is a classic example of a barrier to critical thinking.
True False
