PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes -Phlegm
Document Summary
Clarifying few common issues about scientific theories: theories are not the same thing as opinions or beliefs, all theories are not equally plausible there are good theories and not so good theories, a measure of a good theory is not the number of people who believe it to be true e. g not many people believe in the theory of evolution by natural selection even though it"s the most plausible and rigorously tested theory. In order to develop critical thinking skills one needs to: be curious, common sense is not always correct, examine the nature and source of the evidence, not all research is of equal quality, examine assumptions and biases, includes your own assumptions as the assumptions of those making the claim, avoid overly emotional thinking, emotions can affect critical decisions, tolerate ambiguity as most complex issues do not have clear cut answers, consider alternate viewpoints and alternative interpretations of the evidence.
