Sociology 2206A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Institute Of Historical Research, Mass Media

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2206A/B
• Professor: William Marshall

Document Summary

Knowledge from the alternatives is often correct, but knowledge based on research is more likely to be accurate, with fewer errors. When you accept something as true because someone in position of authority says its true or because it is in an authoritative publication. Limitations to relying on authority: overestimating the expertise, authorities may not agree and may not be equally dependable, authorities may speak on fields they know little about (halo effect) Misuse of authority giving the appearance of authority to convince others. Experts may promote ideas that strengthen their own power and position. Tradition (cid:862)the autho(cid:396)it(cid:455) of the past:(cid:863) you accept something as being true because it is the way things have always been. Rel(cid:455)i(cid:374)g o(cid:374) (cid:449)hat e(cid:448)e(cid:396)(cid:455)o(cid:374)e k(cid:374)o(cid:449)s a(cid:374)d (cid:862)just (cid:373)akes se(cid:374)se(cid:863) Valuable during daily living, but allows for logical fallacies to slip into thinking: gam(cid:271)ler"s falla(cid:272)y: (cid:862)if i ha(cid:448)e a lo(cid:374)g st(cid:396)i(cid:374)g of losses pla(cid:455)i(cid:374)g a lotte(cid:396)(cid:455), the (cid:374)e(cid:454)t ti(cid:373)e.